By Patricia Kapulula
Lilongwe, April 26, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has come to the rescue of Kaliyeka resident in Lilongwe in observing hygiene as one way of fighting Coronavirus (COVID-19) through distribution of soap.
The donation saw 1, 000 households benefiting with each receiving 10 tablets of Lifebuoy soap.
Kaliyeka is one of the areas which has been heavily hit by the pandemic with 10 confirmed cases.
In an interview after the donation on Saturday MRCS Communications Manager Felix Washon said the idea behind the donation is to encourage residents wash their hands regularly in the wake of Coronavirus and beyond.
He said Kaliyeka was selected as a starting point for the exercise because it is a COVID-19 hotspot at the moment.
But he was quick to say that such an activity will target all areas across the country as the fight against the pandemic is still on.
MRCS has a package that has several components within it whereby they respond by need.
“Malawi Red Cross is present in all the districts in the country and our response is going to all the districts in the country. Wherever it is going to be a hotspot just like Kaliyeka, we are going to support communities there,” he said.
Kaliyeka Ward Counsellor who is also Lilongwe City Council Deputy Mayor, Richard Banda, hailed Red Cross for donation describing it as timely in as far as Coronavirus fight is concerned.
“I welcome the support because Kaliyeka is a hotspot for Coronavirus and the population for those positive is huge and I know for sure that vulnerable people here will be assisted through such donations,” he said.
He appealed to the recipients of the donation to use the soap for its intended purpose and adhere to preventive measures in order to avoid contracting the disease.
The cases in Kaliyeka have been a bone of contention with some saying they are not real.
But the Lilongwe City Deputy Father said the disease is real and it is in Kaliyeka and as such residents in the area should take all precautionary measures.
“It is my plea that we should take part in what health personnel are telling us to avoid contracting the virus. COVID-19 is real and it is here in Kaliyeka and there is no doubt about that. Politics and WhatsApp rumours will not help us at all,” he said.
As such, Banda appealed to those who have tested positive to adhere to self quarantine and that Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) should ensure that those put on quarantine are observed in their homes so that they get the required help.
One of the beneficiaries Alice Taulo was happy for the donation saying the area has been heavily affected by the pandemic and as such the soap will go a long way in ensuring that they prevent the disease through hand washing among other preventing measures.
“The soap will help us in our households because we were using one soap for bathing, washing hands and washing plates which wasn’t good hence the donation will ease that challenge,” she said.
Another beneficiary Debora Macduff said they have been observing Coronavirus preventive measures such as hand washing though without soap but with this donation the measures will be enhanced.
MRCS has come up with a budget of about K1.3 billion interms of COVID-19 preparedness where K600 million has already been secured from its partners and the donation is part of that package.
Meanwhile, they have been engaged in community mobilisation through door to door and van publicity among others in terms of COVID-19 awareness.
