UNHCR urges government to reconsider its decision of relocating refugees to Dzaleka camp

The United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR has expressed concern with decision by Malawi authorities to proceed relocating refugees and asylum seekers living in rural and urban centres back to Dzaleka refugees camp.

This comes as authorities on 27th March announced that they are giving up to 15 April all refugees and asylum seekers to relocate to Dzaleka.

According to statement by UNHCR which has quoted Cyr Modeste Kouame, UNHCR’s Representative in Malawi, they are demanding authorities to reconsider the decision which will have disastrous consequences on many refugees’ lives.

Kouame further indicates that if the Refugees returns to Dzaleka it means they will add on the already congested camp which initially was established to accommodate up to 12 000 but now has already over 50 000 people.

UNHCR’s Representative in Malawi adds that the relocation means that children will have to leave their schools, and for breadwinners to abandon their employment or small businesses and return to a camp where they will be dependent on humanitarian assistance.