1. PREAMBLE

The Council for NGOs in Malawi – CONGOMA, as an NGO coordinating body, and mandated by its membership to represent their collective interests and concerns and amplify the voice of NGOs;

1. Concerned with the alleged mismanagement of Covid-19 public resources
2. Pleased with the stance taken by the Head of State, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for strict accountability for public funds and results in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic
3. Noting the declining new infections of Covid-19
4. Cognisant of the fact that Covid-19 outbreak has devastated social and economic livelihoods in both urban and rural communities of Malawi
5. Acknowledging efforts of other stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations – NGOs, private sector and donor community in response to COVID 19 pandemic; CONGOMA wishes to voice the following in solidarity with other stakeholders who have spoken on the same prior

1. COMMENDATION

CONGOMA commends;

1. The State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for the insightful declaration of State of National Disaster on 12 January 2021 in light of the Corona Virus surge then, the appeal for assistance from the various stakeholders, and advancing new measures against further spread of the pandemic
2. The State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for acknowledging NGOs as one of the strategic stakeholders in the fight against Corona Virus and committing to include NGOs in the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19.
3. The Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 for leading the fight against Covid-19 through implementation of the national response plan.
4. The various Doctors, Nurses, Clinicians, Technicians and all Health workers directly or indirectly involved in the fight against the pandemic, for risking their lives and those of their families and friends and for a job well done as numbers of recoveries get higher and higher.
5. Majority of Malawians for taking responsibility to observe set rules by Government in order to reduce infections from Covid-19
6. Government of Malawi for allocating and releasing funds to assist in the fight against the pandemic
7. All NGOs, FBOs, private sector and donor community for the financial, material and moral support to the State and the communities at large in the fight against Covid-19 and in response to state of national disaster declaration.

2.      APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI

CONGOMA calls upon;

1. The Presidency of the Republic of Malawi not to relent on accountability for funds and results in public service and the fight against ‘entrenched’ corruption in our society
2. The Presidential Task-force on Covid-19, Controlling Officers and public service in general to exercise utmost transparency and accountability in the use of funds not only for Covid-19 but all public resources entrusted to them
3. The Presidential Task-force on Covid-19 to take seriously the welfare and safety of people quarantined in designated places and all care givers in health facilities in view of our fragile and overwhelmed healthcare system
4. Government of Malawi to consider extending social protection interventions such as relief items or cash transfers to vulnerable groups in both urban and rural communities. Most of our people (close to 52% of the population) live in poverty, with some living from hand-to-mouth. With the restrictions, poverty has become more wide spread due to constrained economic activities.
5. The Reserve Bank of Malawi to engage commercial banks to consider loosening some conditions for loans or mortgage. With a constrained business arena, some citizens might not be able to honor their commitments. As such, it will be unfair for the banks to sell or confiscate properties at this time.
6. Government of Malawi to continue with Covid-19 measures for people entering the country, including mandatory testing and production of Covid-19 test certificates from country of origin upon entry; and repatriating Malawians stranded in other countries due to the pandemic
7. Water boards to ensure water supply is not interrupted. In this regard, water cuts and rationing should be suspended to promote hygienic conditions for all Malawians during the pandemic.
8. Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information to continue ensuring that experiences, practices and lessons learnt in the fight against Covid -19 so far are documented and shared on both public and private Media in print and electronic formats by both experts and those that have recovered from the disease. This will give hope and assurance to Malawians.

3.  CALL TO NGOs

CONGOMA is calling upon its members working within and outside the health sector to:

1. Continue allocating financial, material or technical support to bolster national response to Covid-19 in tandem with set national response programmes
2. Share monthly/ quarterly financial and activity reports to CONGOMA for consolidation into an NGO contribution to Covid -19 fight Report
3. Enhance workplace safety by disinfecting offices; providing masks and sanitizers; introducing working shifts; and embracing flexible working hours to reduce the spread of the virus
4. Review modes of programme delivery which involve face-to-face meetings, local and international travel to avoid escalating the spread of Corona Virus
5. Raise awareness on Covid-19 pandemic to the communities they work and the stakeholders they partner with
6. Make use of the CONGOMA Information Management System to get more information on membership status and assorted services, including updates on Covid-19. The system can be accessed on www.congoma.net

4.  APPEAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

CONGOMA is calling upon members of the general public to:

1. Take precautionary measures against Covid-19 as promulgated by the Ministry of Health, Presidential Task-force on Covi-19 and the World Health Organisation seriously. Covid-19 is real.
2. Make use of the CONGOMA Information Management System at www.congoma.net to register their NGOs with CONGOMA. This process will avoid face-to-face interaction during registration

5. CONCLUSION

CONGOMA is very pleased with the accountability stance taken by His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi. This is an opportunity for good meaning Malawians to rally behind the Presidency and fight corruption and theft from the front. It is very concerning to learn of the serious alleged plunder of the MK6.2 billion meant for Covid-19 fight. We pray that those involved will be given the right to be heard and be subjected to due process of the law. It is important, therefore, to join efforts in dealing with the pandemic. All stakeholders have a stake in the fight, including citizens.

Signed

Kossamu Munthali

Acting CHAIRPERSON

22^nd February, 2021