Language support
Start here if you need another language
Dzaleka is home to over 60,000 residents from the Great Lakes region. While most official info is in English, this page helps you find easier English, radio updates, or a reply in another language.
The Multilingual Heart of Dzaleka
Swahili is the lingua franca of the camp, connecting people from different backgrounds. Within communities, you will also hear Lingala, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, and French.
DR Congo (65%)
Swahili, Lingala, French, Tshiluba, Kibembe
Burundi (22%)
Kirundi, Swahili, French
Rwanda (13%)
Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French
Others (1%)
Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and others
Where to start
Most pages are still in English
Start with Easy Read if you want shorter sentences. If you have just arrived, use New to Dzaleka next.
If you need urgent help in a crisis
Use the urgent help page first and tell the person helping you what language you need.
If you want spoken news and community information
Yetu Radio is the main multilingual option linked on this site. It broadcasts in Chichewa, English, French, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda.
If you need a reply from the site team
For non-urgent questions, the Help Desk can reply in English, French, and Swahili.
Practical Phrases
Essential words to help you navigate daily life in and around the camp.
Chichewa (Malawi)
Hello: Moni
How are you?: Muli bwanji?
I am fine: Ndili bwino
Thank you / Excuse me / Please: Zikomo
I am sorry: Pepani
How much?: Ndalama zingati?
Help me!: Mundithandize!
Welcome: Takulandirani
Swahili (Camp Lingua Franca)
Hello / News: Habari
How are you?: Hujambo?
I am fine: Sijambo
Thank you: Asante
I am sorry / Excuse me: Samahani
How much?: Bei gani?
Help me!: Nisaidie!
Welcome: Karibu
Important note
Not every service on this website can reply in more than one language. If you need language help, say that early so the person helping you can route you properly.
Where this information came from
Checked on 18 April 2026. The information on this page is sourced from community demographics, local radio broadcast data, and UNHCR reporting.
- UNHCR story about Yetu community radio
Published 13 February 2024. It lists Chichewa, English, French, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda as Yetu broadcast languages.
- Yetu FM about page
Checked 18 April 2026. Yetu FM describes itself as a five-language community radio service in Dzaleka.