Government has said Mozambicans who have entered the country through Nsanje, and are living in six camps, will be relocated to Nyamithuthu Refugee Camp in the district for easy care.
This was disclosed yesterday by Ministry of Homeland Security senior administrative and operation manager Hilda Kantema Kausiwa during a stakeholders’ meeting at District Council headquarters.
“So far, we have registered 1 426 households. We are still registering them here in Nsanje and government is also registering and monitoring those entering through Chikwawa and Dedza districts.
“We are grateful to some stakeholders who have given us vehicles and fuel to facilitate the relocation of the refugees to Nyamithuthu,” she said.
According to Kantema Kausiwa, assistance to these refugees fleeing their country due to unrests following that country’s disputed elections, is coming from various partners including those in areas of child protection and water, sanitation and hygiene.
She warned that government will ensure that only genuine refugees are registered. Kantema Kausiwa advised Malawians that there is no point in trying to register as a refugee. She asked the various stakeholders to be vigilant in dealing with the situation so that those in need receive the desired assistance.
Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) executive director MacBain Mkandawire said they are worried with children who are loitering in the camps.
He observed that some of the asylum-seekers in the camps are aged between six and 18, and are in need of shelter, wash facilities and mosquito nets as there is a threat of contracting malaria.
Mkandawire said Yoneco is, among others, supporting police with fuel to enhance security in the camps.
“We are also providing sanitary pads, dignity kits and clothes. But we want to ensure that those refugees being sheltered in schools are relocated quickly as schools are opening in the next couple of days,” he said.
Plan International Malawi head of humanitarian Albert Chidaya welcomed the relocation of all the refugees, saying it will ease logistics of assisting them.
He said his organisation is supporting Nsanje District Council with dignity kits that include 20-litre buckets for keeping water, soap, wrappers, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
He said they have spent K15 million on hygiene kits and K5 million on training of protection committees, including camp management committees.
Joao Khalaniwa, a refugee from Mulelemba area in Mourumbara District said relocating them to one place is likely to improve their welfare as individuals and organisations will appreciate their challenges.
Nsanje district commissioner Dominic Mwandira emphasised that the decision to relocate the refugees to one place is to ensure that learners are not affected when the second term opens on January 6 2025.
There is growing unrest in Mozambique as followers of independent candidate Vanancio Mondlane, who is disputing the result of October 9 2024 polls, have gone on rampage.
The constitutional court declared the ruling Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo the winner. Third-placed opposition Renamo candidate Ossufo Momade also rejected the results.
