Mozambique asylum seekers’ relocation begins
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in conjunction with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Friday began relocating Mozambican asylum seekers to Luwani Refugee Camp in Neno.
The move comes after lengthy discussions between government, UNHCR and other stakeholders to reopen the former refugee camp.
Currently, there are about 12 000 Mozambican asylum seekers in Malawi who have fled their country due to fighting between the governing Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) militias of opposition leader Alfonso Dhlakama.
The UNHCR-run relocation operation is aimed at improving the conditions in which the people are living in Nsanje and Kapise Refugee Transit Centre in Mwanza.
The first group of 81 asylum seekers left Nsanje on two hired buses to Luwani Camp where they have now been provided with food, shelter materials and household items.
UNHCR reporting and information officer Kelvin Shimo said the relocation exercise has started with the Nsanje-based asylum seekers because of the heavy rains that have made roads to Kapise Centre impassable.
He added that relocation of about 800 asylum seekers camping in Chikwawa would follow later.
Last week, the UNHCR conducted a rapid assessment in Ntcheu, Dedza and Nsanje districts to determine the situation of the new arrivals.
Together with various partners, UNHCR is providing essential services at Kapise, including water and sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare and psycho-social support.
