Anaemia persists as a major public health concern, mainly affecting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls and women.  It is estimated that 40% of all children aged 6–59 months, 37% of pregnant women and 30% of women 15–49 years of age are affected by anaemia globally.

In 2012, the 65th World Health Assembly called for a 50% reduction of anemia among women of reproductive age by 2025, and in 2019 the prevalence of anaemia among women was added as an indicator for SDG Target 2.2 on Ending all forms of malnutrition. Achieving this target would improve the lives of millions of women and newborns and contribute to a more productive global economy. Yet progress in reducing anaemia has stagnated, both globally and regionally, and the annual rate of reduction is well below that needed to meet the targets.

In November 2021, in response to the slow rate of progress, WHO committed to develop a Comprehensive framework for action to accelerate anaemia reduction. WHO and UNICEF also committed to establish an Anaemia Action Alliance to foster accelerated and coordinated efforts to reduce anaemia, including through implementation of the comprehensive framework.

The Anaemia Action Alliance brings together a broad group of actors to achieve a collective vision where all women, adolescent girls, and children are empowered and enabled to benefit from appropriate and timely actions for the prevention and management of anaemia, addressing the global targets. These actors have a public health interest in addressing anaemia, working in various disciplines, sectors and geographies in governments, intergovernmental organizations, and eligible non-State actors.

Four Working groups were established based on the Alliance workstreams. The purpose of the Working groups is to bring together members with similar interests and expertise, to share information and collectively work on specific activities that align with the Alliance’s overall mission and objectives. 

• National integrated anaemia action to support countries that commit to accelerating progress on anaemia reduction by putting existing and new multi-sectoral anaemia programmes and policies into practice.
• Programmatic implementation to address technical issues related to the implementation of existing recommendations on the assessment of anaemia and its risk factors, and evidence-based interventions on the prevention and management of anaemia. 
• Investment for anaemia reduction to foster global and domestic investments, encouraging more governments and donors, including philanthropic foundations, to invest in anaemia research and the development and implementation of national comprehensive approaches to the prevention and management of anaemia.
• Integrated research to address biological, assessment and programmatic issues that constrain progress in anaemia reduction through multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral partnerships.

Join the Anaemia Action Alliance

Government and Intergovernmental agencies may express interest in joining the Alliance.

Non-state actors may complete the electronic application form.

The structure of the Alliance reflects varying modes and levels of engagement, from participation in the Stakeholders' Forum to active membership in the Core group and Working groups. The Alliance is supported by a Secretariat with oversight from a Steering committee. The governance and structure of the Alliance is designed to facilitate coordination of activities, to ensure activities align with the Alliance’s overall mission and objectives while managing risks including conflict of interest.

How to apply for participation in the Stakeholders' Forum or the Core group and Working group

Government and Intergovernmental agencies may express interest in joining the Alliance following this link.

• by-laws/constitution of entity
• sources of funding
• list of names of members of decision-making body
• relevant affiliations
• report of activities related to anaemia during past 3 years.

Expected outcomes of the Alliance

• Stronger collective leadership for the reduction of anaemia by global and national actors across sectors
• Improved enabling environment for countries with tools, and technical and financial support, to accelerate the development and implementation of context-specific, multisectoral anaemia reduction plans
• Increased awareness, understanding, investments and action by donors and governments to accelerate anaemia reduction action

Goal

Increased implementation of context-specific, multi-sectoral anaemia reduction plans, reaching effective coverage, to achieve a significant reduction of anaemia in women, adolescent girls and children.

What happens after you apply?

Please note that the approval of the request for non-State actors to participate in the Alliance is contingent on compliance with the criteria for consideration of non-State Actors available in the Alliance Term of Reference and is subject to the outcomes of due diligence and risk assessment in accordance with Framework of Engagement with Non-State actors (FENSA).

Questions?

For further information please contact us at anaemiaalliance@who.int

Notes:

The Alliance is hosted by WHO working in close collaboration with UNICEF.