Rotary International President for 2025-26, Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo, visited Karachi to highlight Rotary’s ongoing global humanitarian efforts. Rotary International, the world’s largest humanitarian service organization, is dedicated to providing aid to communities across the globe, promoting integrity, and fostering peace through its network of business, professional, and community leaders. One of Rotary’s cornerstone initiatives is the global fight against polio.
Through its PolioPlus program, Rotary has contributed an astounding $2.7 billion worldwide, with $446 million specifically directed to Pakistan. This financial support has been crucial in the ongoing battle to eradicate polio in the region. However, Rotary’s mission extends far beyond polio. The organization’s diversified focus areas include Peace and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Economic and Community Development, and Environmental Sustainability. Rotary has also played a critical role in responding to global disasters, including the 2022 Pakistan floods.
In the aftermath, Rotary provided immediate relief and launched the Rotary Pakistan Smart Villages Program, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at climate change mitigation and achieving Net Zero targets. This program focuses on building sustainable, indigenous communities through innovation and technology, offering a long-term solution to the challenges posed by climate change. “In the past year alone, we have invested approximately $1 million in 15 villages,” a Rotary Pakistan representative shared.
“Our goal is to develop 25 villages by the end of this year and expand to 100 villages over the next two years.”
These smart villages prioritize not just shelter, but also essential services such as water and sanitation, electricity, e-learning, telemedicine, reforestation, skill development, and economic growth, ensuring that communities thrive in the long run. Rotary Pakistan’s contributions have been felt across a broad spectrum of initiatives. Over the years, the organization has made substantial strides in education, health, disaster relief, and more. Rotary has supported more than 400 schools and promoted reading habits by donating 800,000 books to over 2,500 libraries across Pakistan, a contribution valued at approximately $10 million.
The organization has facilitated 4,500 congenital heart surgeries for underprivileged children, a service valued at around $10 million. In times of crisis, Rotary has provided 30,000 disaster relief shelter boxes, worth US 30 million, to aid communities during emergencies. Rotary has established over 100 water filtration and treatment plants throughout the country. Most recently, in partnership with Saylani International Welfare, Rotary has initiated the installation of 20 water units that will supply 25 million glasses of clean water daily. This project alone is worth US 150,000.
In addition to these efforts, Rotary Pakistan has launched initiatives centered on youth development and the empowerment of girls, reaffirming its commitment to improving the quality of life for all, particularly marginalized groups. Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo’s visit serves as a reminder of Rotary International’s steadfast dedication to fostering peace and enhancing global well-being. Rotary’s ongoing projects, both in Pakistan and worldwide, reflect its vision of a better future for all citizens.
