Programme contribution for LNOB Alliance 2023-2024

Half of the world’s population still lacks access to essential health services. More than 800 million people are spending at least 10 per cent of their household income on health care, driving almost 100 million people into poverty each year. Prevalence of disease and impairment are on the rise. Poor, vulnerable and marginalized people face the worst health outcomes. 

One in seven persons globally suffers from some kind of disability. One fifth of them (200 million persons) are severely disabled. Some 150 million children under 18 years old have a disability. 

The member organizations of the LNOB Alliance realize that the COVID-19 crisis further increased inequalities and particularly hits the most marginalized and discriminated people. Vital services as accessible health systems are under threat. The alliance partners respond by adapting ongoing projects in dialogue with the partners to the situation, increasing prevention (sensitization to safe behavior, hygiene and testing & tracing), protection (equipping with protective material), treatment (access to general health services, provision of psychosocial counselling), alleviation of consequences (cash transfers for essential needs) and rehabilitation of livelihoods.

The current war in Ukraine has increased worldwide pressure on the economy and exacerbated the food insecurity in Africa and elsewhere. Inflation globally hits the most vulnerable first. 

The number of people reached by the LNOB Alliance member organizations with general services such as education, income generating activities or humanitarian response more than doubled from 2020 to 2021. For the access to health services, the number increased to a lesser extent. This had to do on the one hand, that in some countries such as India the access to health centres was reduced due to Covid measures. And health staff had to visit people at their homes. CBM decided on additional Covid-emergency response projects or components in various countries (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Nepal, Indonesia), started new drought emergency response in Madagascar and prepared food crisis related interventions in other African countries. As a consequence of Covid, we have seen new dynamics in telemedicine and referral in (eye) health, given the limitations for mass outreach activities. 

CBM benefitted from intensive evaluation efforts and Federation-wide conceptualization work on the Community Based Inclusive Development and started new comprehensive projects e.g. in Nepal and Laos.

The dimension of coordination and joint efforts at global level has significantly expanded in 2021 for both LNOB alliance members: CBM and FAIRMED brought in learnings in global neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and Lepra fora; and the joint efforts with the International Disability Alliance and the World Blind Union on disability inclusion and on accessibility have grown in importance with the SDC co-funded programme. 

In 2021 the Alliance increased the knowledge and awareness on gender inequalities and inclusion in offices and the programme.

• Poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities are empowered to exercise rights and cover their basic needs as inclusive, resilient and equitable communities
• Poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities have adequate and inclusive access to quality essential health-care services to attain their full health potential with special focus on neglected tropical diseases and avoidable impairment
• Poor vulnerable and marginalized communities have a voice, have capacity for advocacy, policy dialogue and self-determination of their development process
  
• The Swiss public is aware of inequalities regarding access to health, inclusion and human rights (for this outcome no SDC-programme contribution must be used)
• Women have full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership, decision-making and basic needs coverage (Transversal outcome)

• LNOB Alliance strengthens civil society and country ownership in accordance with the provisions of the “OECD-DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society” and the relevant “GPEDC principles”
• PSEAH and gender equality strengthened throughout the Alliance joint programme
• Increased effectiveness through strengthened cooperation, joint learning and shared costs

Phase 3 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)