Covid-19 Response Private Citizens Initiative has received the Commonwealth Points of Light award from Her Majesty the Queen for its work in supporting Malawi government’s response against coronavirus pandemic.
According to the British High Commission in Malawi, the Commonwealth
Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Covid Response Private Citizens Initiative spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign that has raised nearly £207,000.00 to enable the purchase of oxygen cylinders and associate items, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and assorted hospital equipment for distribution in main hospitals across Malawi.
The Initiative made donations to public health facilities worth K209.8 million. Of this, K3.8 million was in kind and actual cash was K206 million.
With this money, the Initiative has been to every district twice to distribute equipment for fighting covid-19.
British High Commissioner to Malawi David Beer observed that the initiative, which has been characterized by utmost transparency, accountability, and efficiency in its dealings, has also been procuring food for health works, fixed ambulances and repaired some damaged infrastructures in hospitals that expressed the greatest need.
Beer, therefore, said the Initiative’s efforts should serve as an inspiration to all people within and beyond Malawi.
“Covid-19, particularly second wave, has had a serious impact on Malawi through loss of loved ones and damage to the economy.
“At a time when the resilience of the country’s health system was seriously tested this citizen’s initiative complemented Government’s efforts to fight the pandemic in a timely and very effective way,” he said.
In her remarks, the Indicative’s Deputy Lead Organizer, Dr Thandiwe Majenda Hara said their mission was to save Malawians from the deadly virus.
“As a team, we can’t claim we deserve this award more than the members of the public who brought the initiative to life. The award captures what it means to be “Malawian”.
“That is to stand up and do something about a situation rather than to wait for help, to be proud to do something for the nation, to jump in and be part of it,” she said.
Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 34,062 cases including 1,148 deaths.
