CELOM Pleads For Better Pension, Improved Living Conditions For War Veterans

The Commonwealth Ex-Service League of Malawi (CELOM) has expressed its concern over lack of Government commitment to provide enough support to World War Veterans.

The Chairperson for the CELOM, Retired Major General Namwali in his remarks during the inauguration of the 2015 Poppy Day noted lack of Government commitment to support War Veterans in the country.

Namwali made an appeal to President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe that Government ought to consider revising upwards the pensions given to the veterans and ensure that they live in good conditions.

“Pensions must be revisited otherwise we are left in dark. Due poor support our numbers of War Veterans are decreasing due to death which is a result of old age coupled with lack of proper support from government.” He said

Asked in an interview to highlight more, Major General Namwali (Rt) said only War veterans who stayed longer in the war are getting financial support of K2, 500 per month but those who joined late are getting “nothing.” He proposed that the pension be revised to K5, 000 per month because current support is too little.

Namwali, also highlighted that due to lack of proper care coupled with old age, this year alone CELOM has recorded 31 deaths of veterans living in both memorial homes and in their villages. He added that the War veterans for example at Zomba Memorial home are living in poor conditions; in houses which have poor facilities including on sanitation, and with no electricity.

During the meeting with President Mutharika CELOM also appeal for food supplements on maize commodity, inclusion for 2015-2016 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP), logistical support on the ongoing identification exercise of the veteran solders and inclusion of energetic retired officers into peace keeping missions.

In his response, president Mutharika promised that as Commander In-Chief of Malawi Defense Force, will look into all the concerns and provide the necessary support.

“I have heard what you said about the assistance and some of the things that you have mentioned I am aware of them. We will try our best in my capacity as minister of defense and my deputy, we will do our best to look at the issues that you have mentioned; the issues of FISP, vehicles, pensions and other issues that you have mentioned.” Assured President Mutharika

“I know you are facing a lot of challenges, but it is our obligation to do something for veterans who risked their lives to save us. I would like to invite members of communities to do all they can to contribute, to assist some with assistance whether in form of money and in kind.” He said

At the ceremony, President Peter Mutharika bought a Poppy flower at a value of K1.5 million as one way of supporting the World War Veterans in the country and also appealed to Malawians to support the veterans.

CELOM estimates, indicates up to 500 World War Veterans are still alive in the country as results from its ongoing national wide identification exercise has identified 210 veterans in addition to already known 194 veterans. The exercise expects to identify 150 more veterans in the remaining districts. At the moment there are 15 World War Veterans living in Memorial homes at Cobbe Barracks in Zomba.

Mutharika Wears Expensive Poppy Flower, Drums Support For War Veterans

President Peter Mutharika has in the spirit of showing support for local veterans of World War I and II, bought a Poppy flower at value of K1.5 million as he launch 2015 Poppy Day.

Mutharika was meeting with some retired war veterans at Kamuzu Palace on Monday evening on the occasion of the 2015 Poppy Day Inauguration ceremony.

"Am very glad to buy this Poppy flower today, it must be the most expensive puppy I have ever bought because I have a cheque here of K1.5 million for the poppy" he disclosed at the end of his speech.

The Remembrance Day or Armistice Day (11 November) is commemorated in remembrance of the noble and gallant fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars fought between 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945. In Malawi the day falls on Sunday of the second week of months of November.

Following this inauguration ceremony, people will wear the 'remembrance' red poppy two weeks prior to the Day and is being sold to raise funds to support all war veterans. Red is a colour of blood and symbolizes sacrifice which also reflected on the colour of Malawian flag. 

"With great delight today I lead Malawians and encourage them to do something in support of the war veterans by buying the poppy flowers." Appealed President Mutharika who is also a Commander In-Chief of the Malawi Defense Force

"The red poppy has been worn since 1921, this implies that we should not take peace for granted because throughout most of the human history, the norm for most of mankind has been resorting to war as a means of solving conflicts which in the end causes human suffering. 

At certain times, war is the price of securing the peace we deserve. We shall therefore remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives to answer the call of peace. Indeed, their names shall always be glorified and their souls shall strengthen our strife for peace." Said 

Mutharika then commend the Commonwealth Ex-Service League of Malawi (CELOM) members and all people of goodwill who have continuously given moral and general support to the war veterans in Malawi

At the beginning of inaugural ceremony, there was Prayer for the Fallen Heroes.

Commonwealth Countries remembers War veterans on 11th November. Poppy wreaths are often laid at war memorials and a minute of silence is observed during Service of remembrance at the eleventh hour of the day as that marks the time when the armistice became effective.