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Urgent help

Get help now

Use this page when your problem cannot wait. It brings together the quickest routes for safety, protection, legal, health, and essential support.

If the situation is urgent

  • If someone is in immediate danger, use the fastest safe option available: call a hotline, go to the nearest clinic, or go to the nearest protection or police point.
  • If a child may be at risk, call 116 as soon as you can.
  • If the first number does not connect, try another listed contact and keep moving to the safest available help.

Call or email now

Start with the most direct contact for your situation.

Gender-based violence, trafficking, or forced marriage

5600

Tithandizane GBV crisis line. Free to call from Malawian mobile networks.

24 hours

Child protection

116

Use this if a child is being abused, exploited, neglected, or is in danger.

24 hours

Youth support and sexual health information

393

Confidential support for young people who need advice or referrals.

24 hours

UNHCR Malawi office

+265 177 2155

For protection, documentation, or status issues that need UNHCR follow-up.

Mon-Thu 7:30-17:00, Fri 7:30-13:30

UNHCR protection email

mlwli@unhcr.org

Useful when you need to send written details or documents.

Email

Choose the right route

Before you call or write

If it is safe to do so, prepare these details first.

  • Your name and a safe phone number, if you have one.
  • Your exact location or block.
  • What happened and when it happened.
  • Who is at risk right now.
  • Whether you need language support or an interpreter.

Not sure which page to use?

If your situation is urgent but you are not sure where it fits, start with support and ask to be routed to the right team.

Open Help Desk Go to Start Here

Source note

This page was reviewed on 17 April 2026. Hotline and office details were checked against the sources below.