Dzaleka : dozens of refugees detained for bank withdrawal

SOS Médias Burundi

Dzaleka, January 29, 2026 – Dozens of refugees were arrested on Wednesday after leaving the Dzaleka camp without authorization. Their families are appealing to the immigration services in Lilongwe, the Malawian capital, where they are currently held.

Most of them are women. They had gone to the capital to withdraw their cash assistance from ATMs.

“Here at the camp, we only have one ATM. So, imagine more than 50,000 refugees who have to use this single point of access to cash. The lines are endless because everyone needs their money,” a source explained.

Faced with this situation, many refugees prefer to travel to the Dowa district town center or even to the capital, Lilongwe, to access this service.

This is the case of the refugees arrested on Wednesday.

“The police surprised a long line in front of an ATM. They quickly arrested everyone. As soon as they identified them as refugees, they handed them over to immigration, that placed them in detention, as none of them had permission to leave the camp,” explains a local leader.

To be released, they must pay more than the amount they had withdrawn.

“Someone who should have had a lot of money wouldn’t have exceeded 250,000 Malawian kwacha. So, to regain their freedom, each person is being asked to pay at least 500,000 Malawian kwacha—double! It’s truly a shame!” adds the community leader, who is hoping for leniency from the immigration police.

According to him, the UNHCR should consult with its banking partners to install more ATMs and allow money transfer agents to support these services at the Dzaleka camp.

Among those arrested are pregnant and breastfeeding women, which is why local leaders are asking the camp administration to intervene on their behalf, while also urging refugees to refrain from breaking the law.

The Dzaleka camp, which hosts more than 50,000 refugees, including at least 11,000 Burundians, continues to face significant security challenges, exacerbated by this latest incident.