BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society has managed to help 400 000 people fight COVID-19 in the country.
This was said by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini yesterday (April 4, 2024) when officially opening the Southern Africa Partnership of Red Cross Societies (SAPRCS) meeting at Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane.
The two-day meeting brings together ten Red Cross National Societies in Southern Africa with the aim of strengthening cooperation and standardising Red Cross operations while collectively tackling issues of common interest. The PM further planted a tree to support the Red Cross’ environmental preservation efforts.
The Prime Minister was with Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, as well as Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima. It is worth noting that Dladla also planted her tree during the event.
The event was also grace by the presence of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies President Kate Forbes (who also planted her tree), Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society Chairperson Bongani Masuku and Chief Executive Officer Danger Nhlabatsi. Other members of national Red Cross Societies from other countries such as Nigeria, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and other countries, were also present.
Speaking during the event, Dlamini said the local Red Cross Society helped the 400 000 people in 180 000 households in 42 constituencies. He said because of such efforts, Government would always support Red Cross.
Dlamini said currently, the Red Cross was under the DPM’s Office (DPMO) and the Government provided a subvention to Baphalali so that they could efficiently provide health care services in the three Red Cross clinics (Mahwalala, Sigombeni and Silele) and also assist in responding to disasters.
The Prime Minister further appealed to the International Red Cross Society to continue helping countries fight the natural disasters. “I want to appeal to the Red Cross Movement to continue supporting the Southern Africa countries as we are faced with different challenges, which include recurrent drought, floods, hailstorms and others. The Red Cross (National Societies) should continue to be auxiliary to the Governments, as per their mandate, and ensure that all their programmes are in line with Government strategic priorities,” Dlamini said.
He promised that Government would continue to support the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society so that they could continue to carry out their mandate in the country.
