The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is also fostering unprecedented public health action among nations in order to beat remaining pockets of polio in south Asia and parts of Africa. In the midst of uncertainty following the terrorist attacks of September 11 th , the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, determined not to let the conflict sidetrack progress in polio eradication, immunized 35 million of their children in coordinated efforts in September and November 2001.