New to Dzaleka
Start here if you are new to Dzaleka
Use this page in your first day or first week. It points to the pages most people need first: urgent help, documents, clinic information, language support, and services.
First steps
If you need urgent help, start there first
If someone is at risk, if you need protection, or if the problem cannot wait, use the urgent support page before anything else.
Complete your mandatory registration
Asylum seekers must report to government authorities within 48 hours. Register at the Department for Refugees / RSD office in the camp to start your status process and to be put on the list for WFP food/cash assistance.
Keep your documents and important numbers together
Keep identity papers, registration documents, referrals, and phone numbers in one safe place. If your question is about refugee status or official follow-up, start with UNHCR Malawi.
Learn where to ask for health help
The Dzaleka Health Centre is the main local health route on this site. If you are sick, injured, pregnant, or need treatment, do not delay.
Say what language you need early
If you need help in another language, say that as early as you can. Use the language page and Yetu Radio to find the pages that can help.
Useful pages on this site
Get help now
Urgent contacts for safety, protection, legal problems, health issues, and emergency support.
Start Here
Use this if you are still finding your way around the site.
Services directory
Browse clinics, schools, NGOs, and community programmes working in and around Dzaleka.
Help Desk
Use this when the situation is not urgent and you need help finding the right page.
Easy Read
A hub of shorter and simpler guides about Dzaleka, getting help, and using this website.
Language support
See which parts of the site can help if you need another language.
Search the site
Search for services, events, resources, rights information, and community pages.
Common things people need first
Protection and legal help
If you are worried about safety, violence, trafficking, arrest, detention, or another rights problem, start with the urgent help page and Rights Navigator.
Health and care
If you need treatment, a clinic, maternal care, or another health-related service, start with the health centre page and then browse the wider services directory if needed.
Language and local information
If English is difficult, start with the language page, Yetu Radio, and the Help Desk.
Daily life and opportunities
When the immediate basics are covered, you can use the site to find education, skills, jobs, community events, and support organisations.
Quick facts
- Dzaleka is in Dowa District, about 41 km from Lilongwe.
- The camp was first planned for about 10,000 to 12,000 people.
- As of March 2025, UNHCR counted 57,438 people living there.
Where these facts came from
Checked on 18 April 2026. The camp location and population figures came from UNHCR Malawi. The hotline numbers came from YONECO. The other links on this page point to routes already published on this site.
- UNHCR Malawi country page
Checked 18 April 2026 for location, population (March 2025 data), and office contact details.
- YONECO (Youth Net and Counselling)
Hotline numbers 5600, 116, and 393 are listed site-wide. The former /information/ page has been removed.
If the issue affects safety, registration, legal status, or health care, confirm the latest details with the responsible organisation directly.