Dzaleka Refugee Camp
Population, services, and reference data for Malawi's only refugee settlement — established 1994, Dowa District. This page combines published UNHCR figures with community-sourced context.
- Population
- 57,438
- From DRC
- 37,245
- 2025 funding need
- $26.3M
- UNHCR staff
- 66
Source: UNHCR Malawi, 31 March 2025
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
From political prison to Malawi's primary refugee settlement, 1994–present.
Camp History Timeline
1977
1989
1994
2007
2018
2023
2024
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
Population Growth
150
1995
Initial refugees
5,000
2007
Before Luwani closure
8,800
2007
After Luwani closure
55,425
2024
August 2024
The Name "Dzaleka"
From the Chichewa phrase "N'dzaleka," meaning "I will never do it again." The name carries the weight of the site's history as a political prison and the hope that such suffering won't be repeated.
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."
Cable 1976-135342
1995
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."
"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."
Cable 07LILONGWE803
Cultural Achievements
Tumaini Festival
Founded by Congolese refugee Trésor Nzengu Mpauni, this annual arts and cultural event has reached an estimated 40 million people worldwide.
Established 2014Community Organizations
Refugee-led initiatives including There is Hope, RELON Malawi, and various cultural groups have transformed the camp's narrative.
OngoingLegal Framework
Refugee Act of 1989
The Refugee Act of 1989 establishes the legal framework for the reception, admission, and treatment of refugees in Malawi. While it aligns with key international refugee laws, it has faced criticism for being outdated and insufficient in addressing current refugee needs.
Reservations to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention
Malawi's reservations limit certain rights:
- Freedom of Movement: Refugees must reside in designated camps
- Employment: Restrictions on work outside camps
- Public Relief and Assistance: Limited access to social services
These reservations significantly impact refugees' ability to achieve self-sufficiency and integrate into Malawian society.
Source: Inua Advocacy
Demographics
UNHCR data as of 31 March 2025
Population by Origin
| Total Population | 57,438 |
| DR Congo | 37,245 |
| Burundi | 12,604 |
| Rwanda | 7,135 |
| Mozambique | 35 |
| Others | ~419 |
Capacity
| Design capacity | 10,000–12,000 |
| Current population | 57,438 |
| Over capacity by | ~478% |
Displacement Context
- DRC: Majority of population, ongoing displacement due to conflicts
- Burundi: Significant population, political instability concerns
- Rwanda: Long-term residents since 1994 genocide
- Others: Smaller populations from Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique
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
Housing & Infrastructure
Current Conditions
Dzaleka remains highly congested, resulting in poor living conditions and inadequate infrastructure due to limited space and resources.
2023: 8,047 Units Built
A total of 8,047 housing units were constructed in 2023 to improve living standards for camp residents.
2024 Expansion
Shelter and infrastructure progress at camp extensions: Katubza, Woodlot, and Dzaleka Hills.
New Settlement: Kayilizi, Chitipa
Government identified new site: 439 hectares for 10,240 households (~51,200 individuals).
Two Joint Assessment Missions conducted July 2023 and March 2024. Source: UNHCR Malawi
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
Key Stakeholders
Government of Malawi
Policy Development
Responsible for policy development and enforcement of refugee laws
Policy DevelopmentRefugee Law Enforcement
UNHCR
Protection & Coordination
Provides protection, assistance, and coordinates humanitarian efforts
ProtectionAssistanceCoordination
Implementing Partners
Service Delivery
Contracted organizations delivering direct services
Service DeliveryContracted Organizations
Cooperating Partners
Specialized Services
Organizations focusing on specific aspects, approved by Ministry
Specialized ServicesApproved by Ministry
CBOs
Community Services
Refugee-led initiatives providing essential services
Community ServicesRefugee-led Initiatives
Donors
Funding
Governments and organizations providing funding support
Funding SupportGovernments and Organizations
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
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
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 houses over four times its intended capacity. Originally designed for 10,000–12,000 people, it now holds over 57,000 residents, straining every resource and service.
Human Trafficking
In 2022, UNODC and Malawian Police uncovered widespread exploitation networks. Ongoing efforts continue to dismantle these operations and protect vulnerable populations.
Recent Research
2023
Identity Among Refugee Youth
"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."
Refugee Youth Identity Formation at Dzaleka Refugee Camp (2023)
2025
Food Security
"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."
Food insecurity and dietary diversity among women living in Dzaleka refugee camp, Malawi (2025)
Funding & UNHCR Presence
2025 Funding (as of 31 July 2025)
| Requirements | USD 26.3M |
| Funded | USD 4.7M (18%) |
| Gap | USD 21.6M (82%) |
2026 Budget
UNHCR Malawi's operational budget dropped from $8M in 2025 to $1M in 2026 — a 90% reduction. This forced the scaling back of protection, GBV response, and non-food distributions.
WFP requires an additional $11M to maintain food rations through December 2026. Confirmed funding covers only through June 2026.
Staff
| National Staff | 23 |
| International Staff | 9 |
| Others | 34 |
| Total | 66 |
Offices
Branch Office
Lilongwe
Field Office
Karonga
Sources: UNHCR Global Focus, UNHCR Malawi Fact Sheet (Aug 2024)