Refugees return to congested Dzaleka

Today is the last day for Refugees residing in rural areas to live outside camp, as they were given until today to relocate to Dzaleka Camp, following the government’s directive on 24 November.

About K300 million for the relocation exercise of asylum seekers was set aside by the Treasury, which will be used to mount tents and provide water and sanitation services among others.

Minister of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza, indicated that they will commence full relocation exercise today.

‘We are erecting additional shelter for people that are relocating to Dzaleka camp,” said Sendeza.

Recently the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malawi told Capital FM that the situation at Dzaleka Camp is dire due to overpopulation that is leading to scarcity of basic needs.

Kenyi Emmanuel Lukajo UNHCR’s Associate External Relations Officer pointed out that Dzaleka camp hosts 56,400 Refugees and Asylum Seekers, exceeding its carrying capacity of 10 000.

‘UNHCR in Malawi is sourcing funds for the rehabilitation of Luwani Camp in Neno district in a bid to ease congestion at Dzaleka refugee camp,” Lukajo added.

In 2018 UNHCR handed over Luwani Refugee Camp to the government following voluntary repatriation of about 2 852 Mozambicans who had expressed their intentions to return to their country.

Four years down the line however, the infrastructure is not habitable.