Malawi Receives $80 Million from UNHCR for New Refugee Camp
Malawi has recently received a generous donation of $80 million from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to establish a second refugee camp in the northern region. The country currently hosts 53,000 refugees and asylum seekers at its only existing camp, Dzaleka, in the central region. The refugees at Dzaleka come from countries such as Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, with some having been there since the 1990s.
The donation aims to alleviate the congestion at Dzaleka by creating a new facility in the northern region. This new camp will provide refugees with a peaceful place to stay and engage in business activities without any challenges. Malawi is also working on a joint voluntary repatriation program with the UNHCR to assist refugees and asylum seekers in returning to their home countries.
However, concerns have been raised about the influx of refugees and the security situation at Dzaleka. The government of Malawi previously faced criticism for relocating refugees from major towns to the camp, citing national security reasons. Despite the challenges, the refugees at Dzaleka are provided with a monthly living allowance and food rations.