On 10 April 2026, YONECO partnered with various stakeholders in a clean-up exercise at Balaka Main Market aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and improving public health.
The exercise commenced at Manica Open Square, a key waste disposal points within the market and extended through surrounding shops and business areas along the Central and East Africa Railway (CEAR) line up to the main tarmac road. The activity focused on sweeping, waste collection, and improving sanitation in high-traffic areas of the market.
The initiative attracted broad participation from government institutions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), faith-based groups, youth clubs, and District Business Networks, highlighting a strong spirit of collaboration in addressing sanitation challenges.
Speaking after the exercise, Balaka Main Market Chairperson, Haroon Matipa, commended the initiative and emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining cleanliness. He also appealed for continued support, noting the resource constraints faced by the market committee.
“Maintaining cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility to prevent communicable diseases,” he said.
