Organization of African Ladies Against HIV and Aids needs held — Madam Mutharika
The First Lady, Madam Gertrude Mutharika on Friday made a passionate appeal for assistance to the Organization of African Ladies Against HIV and Aids (OAFLA).
Madam Mutharika said OAFLA’s influence in the fight against the pandemic on the continent had been growing since the organization’s establishment.
“But the task before us is too big to be undertaken on our own,” she said.
Mutharika, who is also OAFLA Vice Chairperson, was speaking in New York, USA, when she received a $100,000 donation from China -Africa Business Council (CABC) on behalf of her organization.
She said OAFLA had noted with concern that over the years, funding for the organization’s core mandate–HIV and AIDS, maternal and child health and cervical cancer—had been decreasing.
“This has necessitated the need to diversify our funding partnerships,” the Malawi First Lady said.
Giving the background to the donation, the First Lady said CABC also donated funds to her organization when they met in South Africa last December during the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“I am pleased to note that true to our discussions [in Johannesburg], CABC donated $100,000 to OAFLA for the year 2016,” she said.
She said the Johannesburg donation helped OAFLA to carry out various tasks, adding that Malawi used its money to engage opinion leaders, media and traditional leaders in HIV and AIDS activities.
“Today again marks another milestone in our partnership as we witness another donation of $100,000. It is an honour for me as Vice Chair for OAFLA to receive this donation,” Mutharika said.
She thanked CABC for the donation, saying it would go a long way in fulfilling OAFLA’s mandate.
“The money will be well accounted for. OAFLA is looking forward to the growth of our partnership from strength to strength to on this journey as we grow together and achieve more,” she said.
CABC Secretary General, Eric Wang told reporters after the ceremony that they cherished the partnership that existed between the two organizations.
He said they were looking forward to engaging more Chinese adolescents and entrepreneurs in African youth programmes so that AIDS “is defeated by the year 2030.”
The First Lady is in the USA with President Peter Mutharika who is attending the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
She has fulfilled several engagements on the sidelines of UNGA, all aimed at benefitting the country.
Also present at the donation handover ceremony were OAFLA Executive Director, Sonia Ndimbira and an a UNAIDS representative to the AU and UNECA, Rosemary Museminali.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :