APAM Expresses Concern Over Misuse of Funds Meant for International Albinism Awareness Day

Lilongwe, Malawi-The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) says it is dismayed that some stakeholders are soliciting resources for the 2023 International Albinism Awareness Day without their knowledge or the government's, writes Bridget Mwanoka.

The APAM President, Young Muhamba, stated in the release, "We appreciate the critical role stakeholders and individuals play in promoting the welfare of persons with albinism in Malawi. However, it has come to our attention that some stakeholders and individuals are not acting in good faith. We are dismayed that some stakeholders are soliciting resources for the commemoration of the 2023 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) without the knowledge of APAM or the Government of Malawi."

Muhamba further added, "Our members have been used and dumped, and we have reason to believe that some stakeholders are taking advantage of the suffering of PWAs to enrich themselves. These stakeholders have obtained funds from development partners and donors in the name of PWAs, but there is no evidence that the resources are being channelled to PWAs."

APAM urges stakeholders to work closely with the Association and involve PWAs from project design to implementation.

"Stakeholders mobilizing resources through any means must provide authentic evidence from the association indicating that PWAs will be involved from project design to implementation and that the needs and interventions are genuinely from PWAs," the statement reads.

The statement concludes, "We call on all stakeholders to respect our rights as PWAs and involve us in all decisions affecting us. The misuse of funds meant for the commemoration of IAAD without our knowledge or involvement threatens to derail the commemoration in Malawi."