Meheba (Zambia) : a new official gives hope to refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Meheba, November 9, 2025 – The Zambian Ministry of the Interior has appointed a new official to manage the Meheba camp. Her first meeting with refugees’ leaders was warmly received and instilled a sense of confidence among the exiled people.

The new official, a humanitarian and human rights activist, stated that she fully understands the reasons that drove these refugees to flee their country. Born to a Zambian father and a Congolese mother, she fluently speaks Swahili, an asset that is particularly reassuring to Burundian and Congolese refugees.

“We will be able to submit our grievances without fear of betrayal or defamation by interpreters,” declared some camp leaders.

She also promised to visit all blocks and zones, from A to D, to directly assess the refugees’ living conditions and specific needs.

Clear priorities for the camp

One of the new administration’s main challenges is issuing exit permits (“Gates Passes”), essential for trade and movement within the camp. This activity, currently slowed down, should now be organized every Monday and Friday, with the possibility of increasing the number of days to better serve the refugees.

Another need expressed by the beneficiaries concerns the free distribution of chemical fertilizers. The official pledged to discuss this with the humanitarian agencies present in the camp, promising a favorable solution.

Security and youth support

The new official recommended that community leaders :

Strengthen security in the camp,

Combat the consumption of drugs and prohibited alcohol,

Prevent juvenile delinquency and unwanted pregnancies among young girls.

The Meheba camp, located in northwestern Zambia, currently hosts more than 27,000 refugees, including approximately 3,000 Burundians.