FEDOMA Faults Govt on Disability Fund

Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (Fedoma) has faulted the government for allocating K200 million to Disability Trust Fund when the country does not have guidelines and trustees to manage the funds.

Fedoma Vice- Chairperson, Symon Munde, said in the absence of the guidelines and trustees, it is likely that the money will not be utilised.

“Some of the guidelines in the management of the Trust Fund are in the Disability Act Amendment Bill which is still with the Ministry of Justice. These nitty-gritties are important in the administration of the fund. We are three months before the 2019/2020 financial year ends. We stand to lose the money which will return to Treasury,” he said.

Munde then challenged the government to expedite the appointment of trustees to run the fund.

“Establishment of the fund and the allocation is a good step towards promoting lives of people with disabilities but the appointment of the trustees of the fund is key. We need to have people of integrity, people who have the welfare of people with disabilities at heart,” he said.

Minister of Gender, Children and Disability, Mary Navitcha, asked for more time, saying she was attending International Women Day commemorations in Machinga District.

Announcing the allocation in the revised budget, Minister of Finance, Joseph Mwanamvekha, said the funds are intended to improve lives of the people with albinism.

The government has been under fire for delays in establishing guidelines to operationalise the fund.