The World Food Programme (WFP) says it requires $7.2 million dollars (about K12.4 billion) to provide full rations for 35 000 refugees through to April 2027.
A statement published on WFP’s official website on Friday said since 2022, the United Nations (UN) body has helped refugees with up to 75 percent of their food needs, a level of support which can no longer be sustained.
“Based on a vulnerability assessment, WFP plans to provide 35 000 of the most vulnerable refugees in Dzaleka with monthly cash assistance valued at $8 per person, covering 50 percent of their food needs,” reads part of the statement.
The statement said funding shortfalls and a growing refugee population has made it impossible to help everyone in need, adding that WFP will begin prioritising food assistance for the most vulnerable refugees in Malawi from this month.
WFP representative and country director for Malawi Hyoung-Joon Lim says in the statement a decline in funding ler to reduced rations to reach as many people as possible.
“But we have now reached a devastating turning point: we are no longer just cutting rations, we are being forced to cut people off food assistance altogether, including families with little or no means of earning a living,” Lim said.
“These are people who have already fled conflict and persecution in search of safety. They should not face hunger too. No one should have to decide which hungry family eats and which goes without. Yet even the 35 000 most vulnerable refugees we can continue supporting will receive only half the food they need.”
Lim further said the $7.2 million to restore rations for the 35 000 refugees is a critical first step towards reaching everyone again.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) multi-country representative for Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe Helen Mebrahtu said funding constraints are forcing difficult choices at a time many refugee families continue to face significant needs.
She said UNHCR remains concerned about the impact that funding shortfalls are having on the refugees and asylum seekers, stressing that their humanitarian and protection needs have not diminished, but the resources available to meet them have.
“UNHCR will continue working closely with government, WFP and other partners to monitor the impact of this transition, respond to emerging protection risks and continue advocating for greater support and stronger opportunities for refugees to become self-reliant and socio-economically included,” Mebrahtu said in the statement.
Ministry of Homeland Security commissioner for refugees General Ignacio Maulana (retired) is also quoted in the statement as having said Malawi remains committed to providing protection and refuge to people who have fled conflict and persecution.
He said Malawi is working closely with UNHCR, WFP and other partners to manage the situation responsibly, and to ensure that protection, dignity and humanitarian principles remain at the centre of the response.
In February this year, UNHCR also announced that it trimmed funding towards refugee operations in the country by 90 percent due to United States (US) Government aid cuts.
UNHCR national office head Precision Nkoka said in an interview at the time that UNHCR pegged its current budget at $1 million (about K1.7 billion) from $8 million (about K13 billion) last year.
Following the funding lapse, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) said Dzaleka Refugee Camp is facing a humanitarian crisis.
Speaking during a Regional Conference on the Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Other Migrants in February, MHRC civil and political rights director Peter Chisi said the crisis has spread to insecurity and lawlessness at the camp.
About 65 000 refugees and asylum seekers live at Dzaleka, originally designed for 10 000 to 12 000 people with many residents saying they rely entirely on humanitarian assistance.
It was established in 1994 by the Government of Malawi and UNHCR to shelter people fleeing genocide and conflict in the Great Lakes region.
Over three decades, the camp has grown far beyond its original capacity, stretching services and infrastructure.
The combined funding shortfalls threaten not only food security but also health, education and protection services for the camp’s most vulnerable residents.
