By: Francis Polinyu Banda
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday, November 1 donated a Toyota Hilux to Dzaleka Police Unit in Dowa district to bolster security at Dzaleka refugee camp,Malawi’s largest humanitarian camp.
During the handover ceremony, UNHCR’s country representative, Modeste Kouame, urged Dowa police officers to use the vehicle for the intended purposes.
Kouame emphasized that the vehicle would enhance mobility for both day and night patrols, addressing previous challenges related to a lack of transport, which had contributed to increased crime in the area.
“By donating this vehicle we would like to.make sure that security around the camp and the sorrounding areas is enhanced”,Kouame said.
Kouame reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to improving security within the camp and it’s surrounding areas, stating, “Security begins with the community by abiding by the laws.”
Dzaleka Chief Security Officer Serial Ghambi commended the donation, noting that it would facilitate more effective patrols.
Superintendent Gladys Chiwaula, representing the Dowa Police Officer In-Charge, expressed gratitude for the donation and called for greater collaboration between community policing and police officers to enhance operational efficiency.
According to Dowa police station public relations officer Alice Sitima UNHCR also donated three motorcycles and two desktop computers to Dowa Police.station in June 2024.
Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi was initially established in 1994 as a response to the massive influx of refugees from Africa’s Great Lakes region, specifically from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
What was meant to be a temporary settlement for 10,000 to 12,000 people has now grown to accommodate over 50,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
The camp has become a protracted settlement, with a steady stream of new arrivals,averaging around 200 to 300 asylum seekers per month.Currently, the refugees residing in Dzaleka come from various countries, with the majority being from the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by Burundi, Rwanda and other countries.
Recently Malawi enforced the law forcing refugees and asylum seekers living in undesignated places back to Dzaleka camp and repatriated some who volunteered to go back to their home countries.
Despite the challenges, Dzaleka Refugee Camp has evolved into a vibrant community, with refugees establishing businesses, schools, and other essential services.