President Chakwera Launches 2023 Malawi Red Cross Society Flag Week
The 2023 MRCS Flag Week serves as a critical fundraising effort to support their humanitarian initiatives and disaster response efforts.
LILONGWE, Malawi— President Lazarus Chakwera presided over the inauguration of the 2023 Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Flag Week today, purchasing a flag for MK2 million at his residence, Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, writes Esther Banda.
The week-long event carries the theme 'Everything we do comes from the heart.'
As a patron for MRCS, President Chakwera emphasized the importance of unity and preparedness in the face of pandemics and climate shocks.
He stated, "This year's Flag Week is yet another opportunity for the country to stand together with MRCS and provide full support as a means of helping them to reach their target as they prepare for future emergencies."
Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, the Minister of Health, praised MRCS for its long-term contributions to the Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan III and the Community Health Operational Plan 2023-2030, particularly in improving access to healthcare.
She commended MRCS for constructing 5 Health Posts, contributing to the Ministry of Health's goal of constructing 900 Health Posts.
"MRCS is also working on promoting health through awareness, nutrition interventions, as well as prevention of both Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases. With Government Subvention support, MRCS is constructing an Emergency Response Centre in Blantyre to enable timely actions and sustainability of Emergency response activities," Chiponda explained.
Innocent Majiya, President of MRCS, outlined the organization's objective for this year's Flag Week, aiming to raise MK116 million to support vulnerable communities.
He emphasized MRCS's readiness to respond to disasters and prevent and control the spread of diseases like cholera, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality through enhanced case management.
Majiya added, "MRCS's aim is to improve access to clean water sources, reaching over 2.5 million people through various interventions, including the rehabilitation of water points and the promotion of household water treatment."
Established by law in Parliament in 1966, MRCS is one of the 192 Members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC), with the Ministry of Health as its mother ministry.
The 2023 MRCS Flag Week serves as a critical fundraising effort to support their humanitarian initiatives and disaster response efforts.