By Steven Godfrey Mkweteza
An international humanitarian organization, Malawi Red Cross Society ( MRCS), has expressed concern over poor funding towards the covid 19 response plan, saying the development is impacting its efforts towards the fight against the vice.
Secretary general for MRCS, McBain Kanongoza, said currently his society has a shortfall of over MK3 billion to effectively fight against the pandemic in the country.
Kanongoza noted that most prospective donor countries were reluctant to pool in funds into the fight due to decreasing cases of covid 19 pandemic.
“Our proposed covid 19 preparedness and response plan was totalling MK5.3 billion but currently, we have only raised MK2.0 billion. This means we are running short of MK3 billion towards the fight,”
Although there are some green hopes from some donors to give us funds, some donors, it is difficult to convince other donors as they say there is no need to give us finding towards covid 19, looking at the reduced cases the country is currently registering so far,” he said.
Kanongoza said of all the targeted 28 districts, the society has managed to roll out its projects to 19 districts so far due to inadequate funding.
He said as a result,cost the society plans to conduct low cost activities such as door to door basic services.
He further observed that the development has also made other implementing partners in the fight to close doors and went back home while others have diverted to other programs.
According to Kanongoza, the society has so far managed to reach out to 3,150 households in Karonga, Mangochi, Machinga and Ntcheu. He said the society has also distributed 300 million Kwacha cash and distributed ration foods in 7 districts including offering family restoration exercises.
Malawi Red Cross Society ( MRCS) was formed by the Act of parliament to among others, take part in the emerging issues such as disasters, floods and pandemics.
