Dzaleka (Malawi) : the UNHCR is involved in insuring security of the camp

Representatives from the UNHCR and the Malawi government held a peacemaking meeting at Dzaleka camp earlier this week. They are concerned about the intensification of acts of crime in this camp and want to initiate participatory solutions. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The meeting was held at the UNHCR central office located in the “Kawale” area of Dzaleka camp and brought together representatives of different communities living in this camp.

Many questions were raised, particularly those related to security.

“We gave as an example the Burundians killed including a leader, the throwing of grenades, armed robbery cases, foreign and suspicious people circulating here in the camp, without forgetting the forced disappearances which affected more than 70 young people this year. And many other cases that worry us”, list refugees who participated in the meeting.

In the meantime, cases of insecurity continue to occur. A motorcyclist was ambushed on Tuesday.

“It was on the Kawale II-New Katuza section and he fell into a group of men armed with machetes. The latter took away the motorbike from the biker, seriously injuring him on the head and back and a finger on his left hand was amputated. Urgency is needed to save lives here”, lament community leaders in Dzaleka.

To create good and effective integration, the camp perimeter also includes national villages. Which, however, poses problems, according to the refugees.

“When there is a clash or offenses committed between refugees and host communities, it is we who are always guilty in the eyes of the authorities, who decide without even carrying out investigations, which further victimizes us”, they add.

They did not forget to mention other areas that make their living conditions precarious, such as the glaring lack of drinking water or medicine in health centers, while, as they point out, their national neighbors do not face these challenges.

Officials from the UNHCR and the Malawi government indicated that they went there to collect grievances and opinions to finally rule on these cases.

“Don’t worry, we will find solutions together and you must participate in the development of the program to improve safe and social living conditions here. And we promise you that the year 2024 will begin with new measures”, they announced.

Meanwhile, night patrols which had been established by the refugees are no longer carried out regularly, because, they say, “we fear being killed by armed bandits because we go around empty-handed”.

Among the considered solutions is the relocation of the camp to another place, due to overcrowding.

Designed to accommodate 10,000 people, it currently shelters more than 50,000 refugees. The project to transfer these refugees had been announced since the beginning of this year to be implemented before the end of 2023.