By Chisomo Sezi
UNICEF has officially handed over 58 buffalo bicycles to M'mbelwa council as part of a transformative three-year project aimed at improving social protection, gender equality, and resilience in the district.
The bicycles will ease mobility challenges -Nungu PIC Chisomo Sezi
The initiative is designed to enhance services for vulnerable populations in Malawi, who often face various forms of violence.
Child Protection Officer at UNICEF, Martin Nkuna explained that the program, funded by the European Union, seeks to strengthen child protection services not only in Mzimba but also in eight other districts in the country.
“The bicycles will significantly enhance the mobility of child protection workers, community victim support units, and children’s corner facilities, enabling them to provide better services to the community,” he said
Director of Education and Sports for M'mbelwa District Council, Bridget Ndau-Nungu expressed her gratitude saying the bicycles will enhance impact on timely case reporting.
“Distance has been a significant barrier, but these bicycles will greatly improve the mobility of our service providers on the ground,” she said.
Nungu pointed out the challenges faced in Mzimba where many parents migrate to South Africa for work, leaving their children vulnerable to abuse and violence at home.
She therefore urged community leaders and parents to collaborate in protecting these children, emphasizing the critical role parents play in safeguarding their future.
“Without protection, educational development will suffer,” she Said.
The district Social Welfare Officer, Bernard Nangwale, said Mzimba South office does not have a motor vehicle, and this severely impacts on service delivery.
Nangwale highlighted that Mzimba’s vast distances make it challenging to reach remote areas, and using motorcycles becomes problematic, especially with the approaching rainy season.
"Currently, the office relies on borrowed vehicles, but this arrangement is unsustainable, as the vehicle owners often need them as well. Consequently, the implementation of planned activities has been significantly hindered." Nangwale said.
Through UNICEF, with funding from the European Union, 58 buffalo bicycles have been provided to M'mbelwa District Council in Mzimba south, with an additional 47 bicycles set to be delivered for Mzimba North.
The initiative aims to enhance access to protective services for beneficiaries of the social protection program and will continue until 2026.
Opmerkingen