Japan declares a $3.5 million donation to assist Pakistan in procuring polio vaccinations.
Japan has committed $3.5 million in additional financing to assist Pakistan in combating polio, facilitating the acquisition of more than 24 million doses of oral polio vaccine for the 2026 immunization initiative. The statement emphasizes Japan’s enduring dedication to Pakistan’s health goals.
Pakistan continues to be one of the few nations where polio persists, with 30 cases documented thus far in 2025. The government has established the National Emergency Action Plan 2025-26 under the “Roadmap to Zero” project, in conjunction with partners such as UNICEF, to halt the proliferation of this debilitating disease.
Akamatsu Shiuichi, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, stated that safeguarding children from preventable diseases constitutes one of the most crucial investments in a nation’s future. He reiterated Japan’s dedication to collaborate with Pakistan, UNICEF, and other partners in the collective endeavor to eliminate polio.
The grant will assist the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in the effective procurement and distribution of vaccines. Nahoki Miata, Chief of JICA in Pakistan, commended the government’s steadfast dedication to ensuring universal vaccination for children, asserting that vaccinations are among the most efficacious means of safeguarding both children and communities.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s designated representative for polio eradication, described the support as a significant advancement towards a polio-free Pakistan, expressing gratitude to Japan for its confidence in the initiative and its frontline workers.
Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Pakistan representative, stated that the grant will guarantee that every kid, regardless of their location, receives the polio vaccine, thereby enhancing child protection and the health system.
Since 1996, Japan has been a steadfast ally in Pakistan’s battle against polio, contributing over $245 million in grants and loans to save millions of children nationwide.