Minister of Health Dr. Peter Kumpalume made the call in Lilongwe during the inauguration of this year’s Red Cross flag Week aimed at raising funds to execute the society’s mandate.

“The Ministry of Finance is responsible for funding matters, but as a mother Ministry, we will continue working with Red Cross Society of Malawi so that it continues helping Malawians in times of disaster. The strength of the Red Cross is that it delivers its services through volunteers who are themselves community members and hence understand the real needs of their community,” explained Kumpalume.

During the inauguration, the Minister presented a one million Kwacha donation from His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

For his part, President of the Malawi Red Cross Society Levison Changole said this year’s flag week will focus on broadening understanding of the work of the society in addressing humanitarian challenges.

“As first responders, we need to have readily available resources to start responding with while waiting for support from others during disasters,” said Changole.

The flag week commences on 8th May which is the World Red Cross Day, cerebrated in Honour of the founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, Henry Dunant.