LONDON: The Muslim World League secretary-general on Monday launched a package of development and training schemes in Malawi to mark International Youth Day.

Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa also announced the hosting of the first Qur’an memorization competition to be held in Tanzania.

Other initiatives included the African Youth Parliament, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday at the Kenyan Parliament's headquarters, and the Africa Youth Forum 2024, which will be hosted at the UN headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday.

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera praised Al-Issa and the MWL for providing relief to alleviate climate change-induced suffering in the southern African nation.

Speaking in Lilongwe during activities held to mark the 25th anniversary of MWL operations in the country, Chakwera said that following the declaration of a state of disaster in 23 of the country’s 28 districts four months ago, the organization responded swiftly through food aid, which he said saved many lives.

“Your humanitarian gesture extended to this country for the past 25 years in areas of relief and education has meant a lot to the people of this country. As a nation, we don’t take this gesture for granted,” Chakwera said.

He added that it was “pleasing to note that you are here serving every human being without consideration of faith. This is laudable.”

Chakwera said that about 5 million Malawians were suffering due to the El-Nino-induced drought that hit the country this year, “rendering government helpless to manage the situation alone”.

Al-Issa said that the MWL is committed to partnering with the Malawian government to “make the country a better place for all, regardless of their economic status.”

He added: “For the past 25 years, as a government, you have made it possible for us to work freely in this country without any hindrances. We are very grateful for this spirit.”