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NCD Alliance
by UICC
In 2020, the NCD Alliance (NCDA) – like civil society organisations everywhere – was faced with the complex challenges of the pandemic. However, links between COVID-19 and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) placed people living with NCDs in the spotlight, making it even clearer to governments that an integrated approach to health with sustained investment in public health systems is needed all around the world – with no time to lose.
This ensured that NCDs were on the agendas of governments at key events, including the World Health Assembly and the UN General Assembly. At both events, NCDA advocated to ensure that NCDs were included in Resolutions on the COVID-19 response, urgently calling for increased efforts and inclusion of people living with NCDs in decision-making.
To support the work and sustainability of the organisations of the NCD Alliance, the first NCDA Civil Society Solidarity Fund on NCDs and COVID-19 was launched. Grants from the fund, totalling USD 300,000, were awarded to 20 member organisations of NCD Alliance from the NCDA network in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with grants of up to USD 15,000. In early February 2020, NCDA hosted the third Global NCD Alliance Forum in Sharjah, UAE. Almost 400 delegates from 80 countries gathered to learn, share and strategise with fellow advocates from around the world.
The third Global Week for Action on NCDs in September reached 11 million people – a record number – thanks to thousands of NCD change-makers in more than 100 countries who participated with activities online and in their communities.
In November, NCDA signed a landmark three-year partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for a total of USD 1.6 million to support the NCD response in LMICs. NCDA and its civil society network have been longstanding advocates for international development agencies to engage and support the NCD response. This partnership is a milestone, signalling increasing recognition of NCD action as a foundation for sustainable development and integral component of health security.
ncdalliance.org
