By Isaac Jim

Blantyre, August 15, Mana:  Malawi`s Vice President (VP), Dr. Michael Usi on Thursday launched the Malawi Church and Community Transformation Movement (MCCTM) in Blantyre whose mission is to join hands with government and other partners in addressing effects of climate change and food insecurity, unfavorable agricultural commodity markets and poor access to water and sanitation.

The launch started with a solidarity walk from Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) to World Alive International Ministry Church, and later the MCCTM presented petitions to government focusing on three thematic areas of climate change, food security and agricultural commodity markets and water and sanitation, sanctioning the state to seriously look into gray areas within the presented thematic areas.

Addressing the gathering, the VP said government is committed to tackle the issues presented in the petitions and assured the MCCTM that the petitions will be delivered to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for necessary actions.

“The main goal of government, the church and community leaders is to serve mankind, therefore it is imperative that these should pull in one direction and be part of this formidable team.

“Do not write other petitions as these ones are going to be handed to the president soonest” he said.

The VP also encouraged Malawians to responsibly address issues to do with environmental degradation as negative effects of climate change are universal to every Malawian, observing damage to the environment is un Godly.

“We therefore should keep our hope that things will change while working together in helping the government in achieving its goals. It is impressive to see how MCCTM is doing by involving churches and communities in tackling issues that have been raised here,” he added.

Regional Patron of the MCCTM, Dr. Zacc Kawalala who is also Bishop for World Alive International Ministries Church said there was need for collaboration to deal with issues of climate change, food insecurity and unfavorable markets for agricultural commodities and poor coverage and access to water and sanitation,

He said positive change will only be achieved if the church, members of community at grass root level and government are united towards a transformed Malawi.

“There is need to come together to address critical challenges affecting our society. We witnessed the birth of the Malawi Church and Community Transformation Movement (MCCTM) in 2022. This movement is a union of church organizations and the community at large,” he said.

Bishop Kawalala further said the church, community members and government have the obligation to deal with issues that will impact on the livelihood of the present and future generation.

“God teaches us to love one another, so when we destroy the environment, we pose health problems to others and the issue of environmental degradation affects every person, therefore it is a responsibility of every person to look after the environment,” he added.

MCCTM launch in Blantyre was the third after one in Lilongwe and another in Mzuzu.