VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #5245 2901550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171540Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0000
UNCLAS STATE 145245
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID JA SOCI TBIO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: JAPAN'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE
GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION INITIATIVE
1. This is an action request. See paragraph 5.
2. SUMMARY. In 2006, there were setbacks in the global fight
to end polio with the increased numbers of polio cases in
Nigeria and India, continuing challenges in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, and imported cases appearing in countries
previously declared polio-free. There is a critical $60
million funding gap for 2007 and $355 million for 2008 for
the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Since 1988,
Japan has generously contributed over $200 million to the
Global Polio Eradication Initiative ) the third largest
donor country ) sometimes exceeding their announced pledges.
However, there are disturbing signs of decreasing support in
GoJ. Please slug responses for OES/IHB's (Tierra Copeland and
Patricia Murphy). End Summary
3. BACKGROUND: Substantial progress has been made since the
launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in
1988, when polio was endemic in more than 125 countries,
paralyzing 350,000 children each year. The GPEI partnership
includes the World Health Organization (WHO), the United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Rotary International, and
U.S. Government agencies (USAID and the Department of Health
and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention HHS/CDC). The U.S. Government has been the
leading financial donor to the effort providing over $1.3
billion since 1988 and representing nearly thirty percent of
the global contributions.
4. As noted by U/S Dobriansky in a policy speech on polio
delivered October 10, 2006, significant progress has been
made globally; still, there have been recent setbacks that
put eradication efforts at risk. In 2006, 1,998 people were
paralyzed by polio and now only four countries (Afghanistan,
India, Nigeria, and Pakistan) still suffer from endemic polio
transmission. Global polio eradication is feasible; however,
donor enthusiasm and financial contributions in the global
polio eradication efforts are waning ) even in the face of
re-emerging infections and increasing risk for polio to
regain a global foothold. Challenges facing the polio
eradication effort include:
-- There is a major global funding gap of $60 million for
GPEI to support vaccination campaigns and emergency
operations in outbreak areas for the remainder of 2007. A
shortage of polio funds needed for 2007 will result in a
negative cash flow which can potentially produce an immediate
reduction of polio eradication activities in the remaining
infected countries, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and
Afghanistan. In addition, temporary cutbacks will result in
re-infection of polio- free areas, an increase in polio
paralyzed children, delays in outbreak response, and an
increase in overall costs. It is estimated that there is a
shortfall of pledges of, at least, $355 million for
eradication activities projected for 2008.
Japan's support for GPEI has narrowly focused on purchase of
polio vaccine in selected countries. However, the nature of
the polio battle has changed in the past two years into
priorities (e.g. emergency outbreak responses) that have
fallen outside the range of activities that Japan had
historically supported. Therefore, Japan's actual financial
support in 2005 and in 2006 dropped by 50%.
-- During the 2004-2005 period, polio spread from Northern
Nigeria and India to 21 previously polio-free countries
across the Middle East and as far east as Indonesia.
-- Spread of polio has increased in 2006, with twice as many
polio cases in five states in Northern Nigeria, and five
times as many cases in India compared to the same period in
2005.
-- The remaining areas and populations of polio infections
and transmission are among the poorest of the poor and are
the most difficult to reach.
-- Socio-political issues have complicated vaccination
efforts. For example, in the critical areas of India and
Nigeria, there is great distrust of government and government
programs, and resistance to vaccination, particularly among
Muslim communities.
-- Political will on the part of the governments of
Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan is being severely
tested to follow through on commitments to polio eradication
in their respective countries.
5. ACTION: Embassy is requested to urge senior Foreign
Affairs and Finance Ministry officials that Japan consider
increasing its support for the WHO and UNICEF-led Polio
Eradication Initiative, including additional contributions
for 2008-2009. Embassy may draw on the following talking
points:
Begin Talking Points
-- The United States is very concerned that given the
continued endemic transmission of polio in Nigeria, India,
Afghanistan, and Pakistan, a threat remains for importation
to polio-free countries.
-- We are at a critical point in global efforts to eradicate
polio. We are urging the four endemic countries to strengthen
their efforts to eradicate polio and close gaps that have
allowed the number of cases to expand.
-- The United States acknowledges and appreciates Japan's
exemplary past contributions to the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative. There is an urgent $60 million funding gap for
the remainder of 2007 for the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative (GPEI) as well as a remaining funding gap of $355
million for 2008.
-- The United States has given generously -- $132 million in
2007 alone. We urge Japan to maintain past levels of
financial support for GPEI and encourage them to broaden the
range of activities that they will support to be able to
adapt to the changing needs of polio control.
End Talking Points
RICE