Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) programmes are designed to contribute towards a reduction in the number of deaths, injuries, illnesses and impact from disasters, public health and emergencies; while increasing the capacity of local communities, civil society and the Red Cross to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability, to promote respect for diversity and human dignity, and reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion.
With the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), MRCS focused its efforts in 2009 on responding to floods and a cholera outbreak. The implementation of disaster response, preparedness and mitigation, community-based health care (CBHC), HIV and AIDS, and water supply and sanitation activities were able to continue, although greater efficiency has been revived following the closure of emergency operations. The National Society also catered for a caseload of 12,500 refugees by providing food and non-food items, psychosocial support, and agricultural inputs.