Dzaleka (Malawi): insecurity, everyone’s business

A report following the UNHCR investigation into the causes of growing crime in the Dzaleka camp has been made public within the camp. The document suggests that criminals must be found and punished. The refugees must also be separated from the Malawian community with whom they have been living for some time. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The long-awaited report was returned to the Dzaleka camp last Thursday at the UNHCR office located in the “Kawale II” zone. Several refugees were invited there.

Representatives from all UN and humanitarian agencies, the Malawi government and security services have identified several causes of insecurity in the camp.

“The fact that refugees live with Malawian citizens in the same villages, irregulars posing as refugees, especially Ethiopians, Somalis and Sudanese, drug use as well as human trafficking to southern Africa countries…”, they declared in turn.

For example, they said, “out of more than 1,000 Ethiopians, only less than 50 hold refugee documents.” “We must be more vigilant and carry out searches or raids to only stay with those who are in order,” officials recommended.

Dzaleka camp in Dowa district in the central region of Malawi has often been facing incidents of insecurity such as armed robberies, vandalism of shops and incessant killings for some time.

The administration, the police and the UNHCR want to resolve this situation.

Among the urgent measures taken, there is the relocation of citizens who live in refugee villages, the gathering of asylum seekers in a single reception area as well as the accountability of leaders in each zone.

“First of all, security concerns the occupants of the camp, which is why we will choose around thirty men who will do nightly rounds in each area. We also want the refugees to report any unusual actions in the villages,” they insisted.

The refugees hope that the situation will improve.

“We are ready to contribute and we are delighted that the police, the administration and the UNHCR are getting involved,” they say.

This work is already bearing fruit: during a search carried out last Sunday, eight young suspects including Burundians were apprehended.

“These arrested do not have refugee documents. Some admitted they are part of bandit groups sowing terror at night. They were taken directly to the Dowa district prison,” said a community leader who hopes the situation can be brought under control given the determination of the refugees and the local administration.

Others remain skeptical.

“This is not the first time that measures have been taken but nothing changes, especially since the perpetrators are not severely punished. For now, let’s wait and see! » they say.

The idea of ​​mixing refugees and the host community was introduced three years ago to transform the camp into a place of community integration. But since then, security has gone from bad to worse. In 2023, at least twenty people have been killed, including refugee traders, but also Malawian citizens.

Meanwhile, UNHCR has called on refugees who want to return to register for quarterly voluntary repatriation. Burundians respond to it more than others.

The Dzaleka camp has more than 50,000 refugees, including more than 11,000 Burundians.