By Kondwani Magombo-Mana

The Vice President of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Chilima, has appealed to well-wishers and the general public to support families of war veterans who fought in the two world wars saying most of the soldiers are facing hardships.

Chilima made the call on Tuesday in Lilongwe when he inaugurated the 2021 Poppy Week adding that government will do all it can to ensure that the veteran soldiers’ welfare is improved.

The Veep said as government does its part, organizations and well-wishers should also play a role in supporting the surviving veterans and their relatives whom, he noted, are facing hardships in their daily lives as they lack basic necessities.

Said Chilima: “I wish to assure you that the Government will do everything possible to ensure that the living conditions of these war veterans are improved and that their immediate needs are met.

“May I take this opportunity, therefore, to appeal to organizations and the general public to assist the Government in looking after these heroes by making monetary or material contributions towards their welfare.”

The Veep, who bought the first poppy at MK1m, further said the other way to support the surviving veteran soldiers is by buying more poppies (red lapel flowers) which the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) will be selling across the country during the Poppy Week.

Chilima said government recognizes activities of the Veterans and Ex-Service League of Malawi (VELOM) and he urged the organization to always remain united and work selflessly towards improving the welfare of the country’s war veterans.

“As Commander-In-Chief of the MDF and Patron of VELOM, the President has assured me that he will give you all his support and provide guidance where necessary,” he said.

Earlier, Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (Rtd) who represented MDF Commander, General Vincent Nundwe, thanked government for the importance it attaches to the annual event.

Kalumo noted that since its inception 30 years ago, VELOM has made a significant impact in changing the lives of its members.

He said the organization has structures at national and regional levels and that it will soon trickle down to district level.

However, the retired Brigadier General, bemoaned lack of legislature to recognize the war veterans and retirees like it is the case in other countries.

“War veterans and retirees have no structure and law to look after them: we are not recognized by law and it is by grace that we have an organization such as VELOM,” said Kalumo.

He added: “We call upon government to expedite the process of coming up with a legislative means for us to be recognized.”

The Poppy Week activities will culminate into the Remembrance Day Parade on November 14, 2021.

The Remembrance Day is observed in Commonwealth Nations to remember the heroes who lost their lives during the two World Wars in which most African Nations fought alongside their European masters.