By Geoffrey Chinawa
Local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been urged to devise new ways of sourcing and generating funds for their projects.
This is according to Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Nerthar Semphere Mgala.
Mgala was speaking in Blantyre during the launch of 2024 Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Progress Report.
According to Mgala, recent global dynamics have shown that relying heavily on donor support is not sustainable.
She then commended DAPP for enhancing its funding model by complementing its projects funds from the sales of second-hand clothes.
“Times are changing, NGOs should be innovative and discover other local methods of sourcing support for their projects,” said Mgala.
A representative for Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Authority (NGORA) Patrick Aluzioh echoed Mgala’s sentiments and urged NGOs to be transparent in their undertakings.
“DAPP is one good example. Today, we are here witnessing how they have performed, this is a welcome gesture,” said Aluzioh.
Country Director for DAPP, Moses Chibwana, said the 2024 report indicates that they have been able to reach about 1.8 million people with development in various areas that include health, community development, education and agriculture.
“For example, through our interventions in the health sector, we have managed to identify 3400 Tuberculosis cases and referred them to the hospital as well as helping over 2400 adolescent to access HIV testing services,” said Chibwana.
DAPP started its operations in Malawi in 1995 and over the years, it has diversified its projects and programmes.
