Community Mapping in Dzaleka Refugee Camp

Overview

This case study examines the Dzaleka Mapping Project, a participatory mapping initiative implemented in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi. The project, initiated in 2020 by Malawian YouthMappers alumni, aimed to map essential services and infrastructure within the camp to address overcrowding and resource allocation challenges.

Key Areas Covered

• Participatory mapping techniques
• Community engagement in cartography
• Technology integration in refugee settings
• Youth involvement in mapping initiatives
• OpenStreetMap implementation
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Resource management visualization

Project Implementation

The initiative involved:

• Partnership with TakenoLab technology education start-up
• Drone imagery capture of the camp
• Use of iD Editor and kobocollect for data editing
• OpenStreetMap data upload
• Youth training workshops
• Community feature identification
• Infrastructure mapping

Challenges and Lessons

Key findings include:

• Limited refugee involvement in decision-making
• Technology access barriers
• Community engagement challenges
• Integration with existing camp infrastructure
• Sustainability of mapping initiatives
• Cultural and social considerations
• Resource accessibility issues

Significance

This case study demonstrates:

• The potential of participatory mapping in refugee settings
• The importance of community involvement in development projects
• The role of technology in resource management
• The challenges of implementing mapping initiatives in complex environments
• The need for sustainable, community-driven approaches
• The value of cross-cultural collaboration

Access

The full case study is available on the EthicalGEO website, providing insights into community mapping initiatives and their implementation in refugee camp settings.