The Government of Japan has announced a new US$3.5 million polio grant to support Pakistan’s polio eradication programme, enabling procurement of more than 24 million doses of oral polio vaccine for campaigns planned in 2026. The funding will be channelled through the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative to ensure timely delivery and distribution of vaccines across high-risk areas.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries worldwide still facing wild poliovirus transmission, with 30 reported cases so far in 2025. In response, the Government of Pakistan has rolled out the National Emergency Action Plan 2025–26 under the Roadmap to Zero. National immunization drives under this plan aim to reach over 45 million children under five in each round, supported by more than 400,000 frontline health workers who are essential to reaching families in remote and underserved communities.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, said the partnership goes beyond funding. She noted that every dose and every outreach effort backed by Japan’s polio grant brings Pakistan closer to a polio-free future, and expressed gratitude for continued confidence in the programme and its frontline teams.
Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, reaffirmed Tokyo’s long-term commitment to Pakistan’s health priorities. He emphasised that protecting children from preventable diseases is a vital investment in the country’s future and that Japan stands with Pakistan, UNICEF and partners in the collective effort to interrupt poliovirus transmission.
Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, highlighted the effectiveness of vaccines and the importance of community engagement. He said the polio grant will be used efficiently through the dedication of frontline workers and the cooperation of parents and communities across Pakistan.
Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, described Japan’s contribution as instrumental in ensuring every child receives the polio vaccine. The support will bolster efforts to protect children, strengthen health systems and sustain the gains made against polio in recent years.
Japan has been a long-standing partner in Pakistan’s fight against polio, contributing more than US$245 million in grants and loans via UNICEF since 1996. The latest polio grant reinforces the critical role of international partnerships in the National Emergency Action Plan and the wider Roadmap to Zero, helping to maintain momentum toward ending poliovirus transmission in Pakistan.
