Financial challenges has put at risk education and other opportunities for about 300 beneficiaries at Dzaleka Refugee Camp and surrounding communities in Dowa District, it has emerged.
There is Hope (TIH), a refugee welfare advocacy group, said programmes to be affected include access to education, vocational training and leadership development.
TIH communications coordinator Madalitso Mvula said the organisation is struggling to sustain its programmes due to funding constraints and could be forced into an organisational transition if its financial situation does not improve by the end of June.
“We are currently navigating significant financial difficulties. These challenges have regrettably impacted our ability to sustain our full programmatic work as planned,” he said in an interview.
According to Mvula, the affected beneficiaries include 58 students receiving scholarships in secondary and tertiary education, about 250 youths enrolled in vocational skills training programmes and more than 33 community leaders undergoing leadership training.
As part of cost-cutting measures, TIH will close its Lilongwe office on June 30 and relocate its operations to the Lilambwe Centre near Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District.
Mvula said the organisation remains open to discussions on bridge funding, strategic partnerships and collaborations that could help sustain its programmes.
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation executive director Michael Kaiyatsa described the situation as worrying, saying donor-funded programmes provide critical support to refugees through education, skills development and livelihood opportunities.
Another organisation, Inua Advocacy, also announced that it is going to close its doors for refugees advocacy in the country by June 30 due to funding constraints.
