Queen awards Kenani, others for Covid-19 response

Queen Elizabeth II has awarded the Commonwealth Points of Light to Malawi’s Covid-19 Response Private Citizens, who raised about K246 million in the fight against the pandemic.

The initiative, championed by Stanley Onjezani Kenani and others, raised funds for the purchase of oxygen cylinders, associated items, diagnostic equipment, personal protective equipment and assorted hospital equipment that were distributed to hospitals across the country.

A press release from the British High Commission yesterday indicated the initiative, hailed for its accountability, transparency and efficiency, got the award for its work in supporting the Malawi Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth II awards individual volunteers in the 54 countries of the Commonwealth for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.

British High Commissioner David Beer said the citizens’ initiative came at a time Malawi lost loved ones and suffered damage to the economy when the second wave hit between January and March this year.

“At a time when the resilience of the country’s health system was seriously tested, this citizens’ initiative complemented government’s efforts to fight the pandemic in a timely and very effective way. Fighting Covid-19 needs every one of us to act, and the efforts of the Citizen’s Initiative should serve as an inspiration to us all,” said Beer.

In her word, the initiative’s deputy lead organiser Thandiwe Majenda Hara dedicated the award to all Malawians, since many people, from primary school children to struggling single parents supported it.