Dzaleka Refugee Camp

Dzaleka Camp Data & Statistics

Comprehensive data insights into Dzaleka Refugee Camp's population, resources, and operations.

Total Refugees
55,425
DRC Refugees
35,952
Funding Gap
79%
UNHCR Staff
66

Sources: UNHCR Malawi Fact Sheet (Aug 2024)

Latest data as of August 2024

Camp Overview

Dzaleka Refugee Camp Overview

Established in 1994 in response to the Rwandan genocide and conflicts in Burundi and DRC

Located in Dowa District, about 45km north of Lilongwe, Malawi's capital

Originally designed for 10,000-12,000 refugees, now hosts over 60,000 people

Faces significant challenges with overcrowding and limited resources

Home to diverse entrepreneurial activities and small businesses

Supported by UNHCR, WFP, and various NGOs providing essential services

Source: Dzaleka Refugee Information Hub, 2024

Camp History

Camp History Timeline

1977

Luwani Camp Opens

Hosts Mozambican refugees

1989

Refugee Act Enacted

Legal framework established

1994

Dzaleka Camp Opens

Repurposed political prison

2007

Luwani Camp Closes

End of an era

2018

CRRF Adoption

New framework signed

2023

Forced Re-encampment

Urban refugees relocated

2024

Current Situation

Overcrowding in Dzaleka

Historical Background

Malawi's History of Hosting Refugees

  • Luwani Camp opened in 1977 for Mozambican refugees, closed in 2007
  • Dzaleka Camp, originally a political prison, repurposed in 1994 for refugees from Rwanda and Burundi
  • Malawi hosted over one million Mozambican refugees during the 1980s and early 1990s
  • Malawi ratified the UN Refugee Convention and enacted the Refugee Act in 1989
  • Dzaleka's population has grown from 10,000-12,000 to over 60,000 by 2024
  • Malawi has also experienced refugee outflows in the 1960s and 1970s due to political persecution

Source: Inua Advocacy

Detailed Population Timeline

150
1995
Initial refugees
"Well-equipped centre"
5,000
2007
Before Luwani closure
Pre-consolidation
8,800
2007
After Luwani closure
Post-consolidation
55,425
2024
Current population
August 2024

The Name "Dzaleka"

The name Dzaleka comes from the Chichewa phrase "N'dzaleka," meaning "I will never do it again." This name carries profound significance, representing both the hope for a better future and the acknowledgment of past suffering.

"The name serves as a reminder of the transformation from a place of oppression to a place of refuge and hope."

Historical Documents & Testimonies

1976

State Department Cable

"In the Dzaleka detention camp near Dowa, north of Lilongwe, there are now over 3,000 male witnesses who have been incarcerated for a two-year period."
Source: State Department Cable 1976-135342
1995

Personal Testimony: Joseph Ndereyimana

"On 23rd December 1995, we were taken to the Dzaleka Refugee Centre, outside Dowa. We were feeling happy in the hope that we might meet up with people we knew, and even hear news of our families whom we had left behind in Kashusha."
Source: "Walk this way: the journey of a Rwandan refugee" (1999)
2007

State Department Cable

"The Dzaleka camp covers 201 hectares and UNHCR estimates it can hold a maximum of 9300 people. Once all refugees are relocated it will have a population approaching 8800 people and continues to get a steady stream of new refugees from the Congo."
Source: State Department Cable 07LILONGWE803

Cultural Achievements & Community Development

Tumaini Festival

Founded by Congolese refugee Trésor Nzengu Mpauni, this annual arts and cultural event has reached an estimated 40 million people worldwide.

Established: 2014

Community Organizations

Refugee-led initiatives including There is Hope, RELON Malawi, and various cultural groups have transformed the camp's narrative.

Ongoing Development

Demographics

Current Population (August 2024)

Total Registered: 55,425
New Arrivals: 304
In Situ: 12
New-born Babies: 147

Camp Capacity Issues

Original Design Capacity: 10,000-12,000
Current Population: 55,425
Monthly New Arrivals: ~200
Monthly New Births: ~150

Historical Context

  • DRC (64.9%): Ongoing displacement due to conflicts in Eastern DRC
  • Burundi (21.9%): Political instability and human rights concerns
  • Rwanda (12.6%): Long-term residents since 1994 genocide
  • Somalia & Ethiopia (0.6%): Recent arrivals from conflict zones

Community Development

  • Tumaini Festival: Annual arts event reaching 40M+ people
  • Refugee-led organizations: There is Hope, RELON Malawi
  • Educational institutions: Schools and training centers
  • Cultural preservation: Traditional arts and music

Total Population

702,433

Source: UNHCR Malawi Operations 2025

Data as of 11/1/2025

Housing & Infrastructure Development

Current Challenges

Dzaleka refugee camp remains highly congested, resulting in poor living conditions and inadequate infrastructure due to limited space and resources.

2023 Achievements

To improve housing conditions, a total of 8,047 housing units were constructed in 2023, significantly enhancing living standards for camp residents.

2024 Developments

Significant progress in shelter and infrastructure establishment at camp extension areas: Katubza, Woodlot, and Dzaleka Hills to accommodate more refugees.

New Settlement Plan

Government identified new site in Kayilizi area, Chitipa: 439 hectares to accommodate 10,240 households (approximately 51,200 individuals).

Two Joint Assessment Missions (JAM) conducted in July 2023 and March 2024 to evaluate the new settlement site.

Source: UNHCR Malawi Fact Sheet - August 2024

Recent Events

Security

Aid Distribution Unrest

Unrest at Dzaleka Camp over distribution of aid materials

Dzaleka Camp
Security

Grenade Attack

Grenade attack on Burundian community leader Butoyi Fideli

Dzaleka Camp
Policy

Forced Relocation

Forced relocation of urban refugees back to Dzaleka Camp

Dzaleka Camp
View All Events

Key Stakeholders

Government of Malawi

Policy Development

20%

Responsible for policy development and enforcement of refugee laws

Policy DevelopmentRefugee Law Enforcement

UNHCR

Protection & Coordination

25%

Provides protection, assistance, and coordinates humanitarian efforts

ProtectionAssistanceCoordination

Implementing Partners

Service Delivery

20%

Contracted organizations delivering direct services

Service DeliveryContracted Organizations

Cooperating Partners

Specialized Services

15%

Organizations focusing on specific aspects, approved by Ministry

Specialized ServicesApproved by Ministry

CBOs

Community Services

10%

Refugee-led initiatives providing essential services

Community ServicesRefugee-led Initiatives

Donors

Funding

10%

Governments and organizations providing funding support

Funding SupportGovernments and Organizations
View All Stakeholders

Economic Impact

Entrepreneurship(85%)

Refugee-run businesses and shops

Agriculture(70%)

Farming partnerships and production

Job Creation(65%)

Employment opportunities

Skills Transfer(55%)

Knowledge and expertise sharing

Local Trade(80%)

Market integration and commerce

Healthcare Services

Medical Staff(30%)

Severe Shortage - Limited number of qualified personnel, High patient-to-doctor ratio, Staff burnout

Basic Care(45%)

Strained - Overcrowded facilities, Long waiting times, Limited equipment

Specialized Care(20%)

Limited - Few specialists available, Limited diagnostic equipment, Referral system challenges

Medicine Access(35%)

Inadequate - Frequent stockouts, Storage limitations, Supply chain issues

Emergency Services(25%)

Critical - Limited ambulance services, Night-time access issues, Emergency equipment shortage

Additional Demographics

Camp Demographics

Democratic Republic of Congo

64.9%(35,952)

Majority fled conflicts in Eastern DRC, ongoing displacement due to violence

Burundi

21.9%(12,113)

Displaced by political instability and human rights concerns

Rwanda

12.6%(6,960)

Long-term residents since 1994 genocide

Somalia

0.3%(161)

Fled ongoing conflict and instability

Ethiopia

0.3%(164)

Recent arrivals from conflict zones

Other Nationalities

0.1%(75)

Various African nations

Source: UNHCR Malawi Fact Sheet - August 2024

Current Challenges

Overcrowding

The camp now houses over four times its original intended capacity, leading to resource strain and infrastructure challenges. Originally designed for 10,000-12,000 people, it now accommodates over 55,000 residents.

Human Trafficking

In 2022, UNODC and Malawian Police uncovered widespread exploitation networks operating within the camp, leading to ongoing efforts to dismantle these operations and protect vulnerable populations.

Contemporary Documentation

Recent sources and research from 2007-2025

2023

Academic Research

"This study inquired into the nature of identity among refugee youth living at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. Aged between eighteen and twenty-four, the sample comprised of twenty-two female and thirty-eight male participants, from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia."
Source: Refugee Youth Identity Formation at Dzaleka Refugee Camp (2023)
2025

Food Security Study

"Food security and dietary diversity surveys were conducted with 300 women living in Dzaleka camp, Malawi. Ninety-one percent of women had severe food insecurity and women only ate on average 2–3 food groups the previous day."
Source: Food insecurity and dietary diversity among women living in Dzaleka refugee camp, Malawi (2025)

Funding & UNHCR Presence

Funding Overview (August 2024)

USD 27.9M
Total Requested
21%
Funded
USD 5.9M
79%
Unfunded
USD 22M

UNHCR Staff Presence

National Staff: 23
International Staff: 9
Others: 34
TOTAL STAFF: 66

UNHCR Offices

1
Branch Office
Lilongwe
1
Field Office
Karonga

Source: UNHCR Malawi Fact Sheet - August 2024

Latest News

Emergency Alerts

Refugee Population Surge

Significant increase in refugee numbers at Dzaleka Camp, creating escalating challenges for resource allocation.
December 2024

Food Ration Reduction Risk

Current funding only maintains 75% food rations until February 2025. Urgent additional resources needed.
December 2024

Malnutrition Cases Rising

SAM admissions increased by 21% and MAM admissions surged by 185% in November 2024.
November 2024

Emergency Food Distribution

WFP providing assistance to 56,760 refugees (60% women) in Dzaleka Camp.
December 2024

Finance

UNHCR Funding 2024

View Report
Total Budget$26.3M
Funded$3.8M (14.5%)
Funding Gap$22.5M (85.5%)
Last updated: 11/1/2025

Resources

WFP Malawi Country Brief

December 2024

Latest statistics on refugee population, food assistance, and humanitarian needs in Dzaleka Camp.

UNHCR Malawi Data Portal

2024

Comprehensive data on refugee demographics, countries of origin, and camp statistics.

ReliefWeb Malawi Updates

2024

Latest news and situation reports about Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

Inua Advocacy Research

2024

Research and advocacy reports on refugee rights and community development in Dzaleka.
1 views