UNICEF supports cholera fight in schools

.Blantyre and Lilongwe schools open after cholera induced delay

Some schools in Lilongwe have today opened with strict adherence to Cholera preventative measures.

Spot checks by Capital FM have found that Mkwichi Secondary School, Chigoneka Community Day Secondary and primary Schools have placed water buckets and soap at the entrance of each classroom.

School authorities have also randomly placed water buckets with soap around their premises including at toilet entrances.

Meanwhile, there was no food vendor in sight near the school premises.

These efforts are being implemented following the delayed opening of schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe districts as a Cholera containment measure.

Meanwhile,

UNICEF has today officially handed over water sanitation and hygiene supplies to the Malawi government towards containing the cholera spread.

The supplies are expected to benefit about 200 000 students in 88 schools in Lilongwe and Blantyre districts, which are cholera hotspots.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia received the support on behalf of government at a handover ceremony held today at Chowoko primary school in Lilongwe.

The supplies include soap, buckets and chlorine for water purification.

Speaking during the handover ceremony UNICEF Country Rep Rudolf Schwenk stressed on the importance of having in place measures that ensure education continues safely amid such crises.

“We can no longer afford to withhold children’s access to in-person education, especially in light of learning loss from COVID-19. No effort should be wasted in reopening schools better than before, getting every child back in class, & keeping schools open,”Schwenk said.