President Lazarus Chakwera has asked Malawians to embrace a spirit of kindness towards others to ease their plight.

The President made the call at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday when he presided over the launch of the 2022 Red Cross Flag Week themed ‘Be Humankind’.

Chakwera, who donated K2 million towards the initiative, said this year’s theme should serve as a reminder and a rebuke that everyone must heed.

He said: “It is a reminder that we are all members of one family, the human family and that the divisions and conflicts we generate between us and others are manufactured. At the most fundamental level of our being, we are one and are sailing through this difficult world in the same boat.

“The kindness of a human being is one of the most precious raw materials in the universe. Even if the world’s economies run out of such natural resources as minerals and metals, we simply cannot and must not allow ourselves to run out of kindness.”

Chakwera also highlighted the need not to allow the challenges faced together or the afflictions experienced individually to rob the nation of the capacity to help neighbours in need.

He said: “Make no mistake; holding on to your human capacity for kindness is no easy task. In fact, it is a constant battle you must fight against the forces of sarcasm, cynicism, cruelty, brutality, abusiveness, oppression, callousness and indifference.

“These things can easily creep into our hearts and snuff out whatever light of kindness we have in us, but we must not allow it to happen to us.”

Malawi Red Cross Society president Innocent Majiya said the commemoration of the World Red Cross, Red Crescent Day and this year’s Red Cross Flag Week should encourage people around the world to believe in the power of kindness and ‘Be HumanKind’.

Minister of Health  Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said Red Cross was bending over backwards to complement government’s efforts and helpi the needy and the vulnerable.

On May 8 Red Cross and Red Crescent movements across the world observe World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day to celebrate the dedication, compassion, courage and impact of millions of volunteers who offer help, care and life-saving services to people in their communities.

Malawi Red Cross is targeting to raise K80 million.

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