Question 1

Blood Donor Recruitment

Accepted Answer

Period: 01.05.2023 – 31.12.2024Project Goal: Contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality through improved Blood Transfusion ServiceOutcome 1: MRCS HQ and Branches are empowered and responsible phasing-out process executed by December 2024.Outcome 2: VNBRD Sensitization  mobilization and recruitment of donors activities of MRCS are sustained.Outcome 3: Access to safe blood is sustainedTarget: 5 316 903 (Population in Blantyre  Lilongwe  Mzuzu Districts)Brief Background information and progress so far.Access to safe blood at the hospitals in Malawi is limited and is a contributing factor to the high mother and children U5 mortality rates of the country. While Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS)has increased the number of blood units collected from 4’000 units collected in 2004 to 70’000 units in 2018 it is still far from meeting the annual target of 120’000 units and many deaths mainly after delivery  accidents or malaria could be avoided with more blood collected annually.Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) is active in blood donor sensitization  mobilization  and recruitment since 2014. The blood donor recruitment (BDR) projects supported by SRC since 2016 up to date  helped MRCS to increase it’s presence and recognition as an important stakeholder. In only 7 years of project implementation  MRCS was able to steadily increase the mobilization and recruitment of blood donors for MBTS. MRCS is today contributing to 12% of the national collected blood of MBTS  whilst it contributed to only 0 7% in 2017. MRCS has continuously adapted it’s approaches and has defined BDR as strategic pillar in its strategy 2020-24. The national society has a permanent focal point for BDR at MRCS HQ and is mainstreaming BDR in all project and Branches of MRCS. Whilst these are important measures for sustainability within MRCS  Blood Transfusion Services in Malawi  including donor recruitment  rely heavily on donor support. For now  SRC is the only partner for MRCS  and MRCS the only for MBTS.The strategic decision of SRC HQ  to close the SRC delegation in Malawi and to phase-out the long-term programmes  was communicated to MRCS in autumn 2022 and is a real challenge for the BDR project and for MRCS and MBTS. The BDR project was called “scaling-up of BDR” and was in the dynamic of increasing the collaboration and the blood collection. Now with the present phasing-out project  these dynamic needs to change in only 21 months  with an available budget of CHF 400’000 and with no other partners active or alternative funding available in this special field.

Question 2

Integrated Community Health Project – Dowa

Accepted Answer

This is a health project implemented in Dowa District focusing on Health, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation. The project is being implemented in collaboration with District Health office to provide Health Services at community level through Mobile outreach clinics, targeting children 6-59 months, pregnant mothers, adolescents and general community. It is also working on ensuring that the children (6-59 months) caregivers know the locally available food, the importance of the 6 food groups and prepare a healthy and balanced diet for the children. In Water and Sanitation, the project is providing safe drinking water through drilling, rehabilitation of boreholes, promote sanitation and hygiene at household level and in schools.

1. Project goal

Project purposes, target groups, measures:

Overall goal:

Improving the health status of communities in 3 TAs in Dowa District through access to health and WASH services by 2024.

Outcome:

80% of Community members in 3 TAs in Dowa have improved their health and hygiene behavior by the end of the project by applying good hygiene and nutrition practices

Output 1

Improve access to health and nutrition services for 80% of the target population in 3 TAs in Dowa by the end of the project.

Output 2

Improved access to safe water and sanitation for 1,750 people in 3 TAs in Dowa by the end of the project.

Output 3

Strengthening local capacities and coordination mechanisms in 3 TAs in Dowa by the end of the project

Target Areas: Traditional Authority Chiwere, Msakambewa and Nkukula

Donor: Gesundes Afrika

Question 3

FIRST AID

Accepted Answer

Malawi Red Cross provides First Aid to all Malawians in the country through the network of its volunteers. First aid is provided through; Trainings, coverages during emergencies/disasters, public and private functions, simulations and sale of first aid kits. Trainings are open to individuals, associations, companies and organisations basing on their needs.

First Aid services provided by Red Cross is evidence based and internationally recognised.

Overall Objective: To contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity due to injury or sudden illness in Malawi

Expected result: Skills and competencies of MRCS and individual Malawians is improved through trainings and use of evidence based materials

Target Area: Nation wide

Target Groups: Red Cross volunteers, companies, organisations, schools and other institutions, individuals.

Question 4

Community Resilience Programme III

Accepted Answer

TIME FRAME: January 2024 to December 2027IMPACT AREAS: Chikwawa in TA Makhuwira & Mangochi in Sub-TA KapichiGOAL: People live healthy lives  have improved food security  and are empowered to withstand shocks OUTCOMESOutcome 1: Communities have improved livelihood by increasing agricultural productivity  diversified income streams  and vocational entrepreneurship opportunities. Outcome 2: Communities have increased capacities to live healthy lives and to manage their well-being. Outcome 3: Children and youth are empowered through education  improved knowledge on life skills  and increased involvement in decision-making.