Malawi Red Cross Society Appeals for K5.7 Billion to Combat Cholera Outbreak

Malawi: The Malawi Red Cross Society has appealed for K5.7 billion from international and local organizations to help the government fight the cholera outbreak in the country, writes Judgement Katika.

MacBain Kanongodza, the General Secretary of the Malawi Cross Society, said they are partnering with the Ministry of Health to form a strong team and have already started raising money on the ground.

He called for the community, traditions, and faith leaders to join hands to end the traditional behaviours that contribute to the spread of cholera.

"There is a lot of misunderstanding at the community level, but it's high time that we deal with the traditional behaviours of taking food without washing hands and drinking contaminated water from wells and poor sanitation," said Kanongodza.

"Let us change our behaviors so that the pandemic can leave our communities and we can win the fight."

The Danish and Swiss Red Cross have already supported the Malawi Red Cross Society with over K1 billion, which has enabled them to reach ten districts.

Chairperson of the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19 and Cholera, George Chalamira Nkhoma, hailed the Malawi Red Cross Society for their role in supporting the government.

He urged the people of the country to work hand in hand with the government to fight the pandemic instead of accusing and harassing medical personnel when their relative dies of cholera.

According to the Ministry of Health's cholera update report for January, over 31,832 cases have been recorded and 1,045 people have died from the outbreak, putting over 10 million people, including more than five million children, at risk.