In line with the organization’s mission of alleviating human suffering and improving the quality of life of the vulnerable people through relief, development and dissemination of its fundamental principles, Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) in partnership with Japanese Blanket for Africa Campaign (JBAC) on Thursday distributed 583 blankets to the needy people of Thyolo district during the 2018 Blankets distribution launch which took place in the Traditional Chief Mchiramwela’s area in the district.

Addressing the gathering during the launch MRCS president Levison Changole said he was happy to note that the people of Japan have yet again sent blankets to Malawi for the 23^rd time. He applauded the partnership with JBAC which has seen over 304,850 being distributed to the vulnerable people in Malawi for the past 22 years.

In his remarks, Traditional Authority (TA) Mchiramwela who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked red cross for launching the 2018 distribution program in Thyolo. The TA commended the Red Cross for the kind gesture of the donation of the blankets which he said has come at the right time when the country is experiencing cold weather and Thyolo gets more cold being on a higher ground.  Mchiramwela appealed to the beneficiaries not to sale the blankets but put them to good use. He also advised the people not to snatch the blankest from the orphans.

Blanket distribution is an annual MRCS activity supported by the people of Japan which takes place in may following the Red Cross flag week. A total of 19,200 pieces of blankets, 583 in each district will be distributed this year to 33 divisions in all the 28 districts of Malawi.

His Excellency the state president of the republic of Malawi Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who is also the patron of Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has urged Malawians and the Private sector in Malawi to support Malawi Red Cross.

The remarks were made on Tuesday at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre during the launch of the 2018 Red Cross flag week. Mutharika said MRCS does a very commendable work in saving lives of Malawians during disasters, sitting this year’s Kaliyeka, Mchesi, Biwi and Mtandire flodds in Lilongwe for example where Red Cross Volunteers were first responders and last to leave the affected areas.  He said the humanity work MRCS does in Malawi cannot go without cerebration, hence his acceptance to inaugurate the flag week.

Patron of MRCS President Mutharika pose in photo with MRCS staff and Volunteers

He appealed to the private sector to invest more in the welfare of the vulnerable communities by donating to MRCS. On his part, the president assured MRCS that he is committed to see to it that Government budgetary support to MRCS resumes. He then made a personal donation of 1 Million Kwacha cheque to Malawi Red Cross Society.

Speaking during the event MRCS president Levison Changole thanked the president for inaugurating the Red Cross flag week besides his busy schedule. He assured government that MRCS will continue to provide a diverse and enterprising range of services tailored to the needs of vulnerable local communities, helping people prepare for, deal with and recover from crisis.

“This year’s flag week campaign cerebrated under a theme “Everywhere for Everyone” aims to broaden public understanding of the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent by featuring the diverse and innovative range of services around the world, and challenging the traditional view of Movement with a smile. The Malawi Red Cross Society has been involved in disasters engaging policy and decision makers on humanitarian action, visiting detainees and supporting vulnerable migrants and refugees through tracing and restoration of family links amongst other things.”

Red Cross flag week is an annual fund-raising event held every May to mobilize resources and donations to enable the society raise funds necessary to respond to disasters that mostly benefit those people in need. It is also used as an opportunity to sensitize and remind people on the importance of saving lives and to take part in humanitarian activities in natural disasters.

MRCS president presented a gift of Red Cross cloth to the patron and the first lady madam Dr. Gertrude Mutharika.