Malawi: Population Movement - DREF Final Report (MDRMW022)

EXTRACTO DEL FEED · ATRIBUIDO AL MEDIO

Countries: Malawi, Mozambique

Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Please refer to the attached file.

Description of the Event

Date when the trigger was met

29-01-2025

What happened, where and when?

1. Background

Following the post-election unrest in Mozambique, Malawi hosted 7,456 asylum seekers across Nsanje, Dedza, Chikwawa, Mwanza, Mulanje, and Dzaleka beginning in December 2024. The influx followed political instability and violence that forced Mozambican citizens to seek refuge in Malawi.

On 27 February 2025, Mozambique's Minister of Home Security led a delegation to Malawi to meet with government officials and discuss plans for a voluntary repatriation process. The two governments agreed that asylum seekers willing to return should be allowed to do so under a coordinated and safe process.

2. Repatriation Process

A joint registration exercise was conducted for asylum seekers who expressed willingness to return to Mozambique. The Mozambican government provided vehicles to transport voluntary returnees to the Shire River Dock, where they were ferried across the river by speedboats.

The repatriation process began on 28 February 2025 and concluded on 13 March, during which 7,076 registered Mozambicans were repatriated. Despite this achievement, the operation faced challenges, including high Shire River water levels caused by heavy rains and flooding, logistical constraints, and reluctance among some asylum seekers due to ongoing security concerns in Mozambique.

Between 13 March and 30 April 2025, the Government of Malawi undertook various activities to facilitate the closure of the Nyamithuthu Camp, marking the end of the repatriation phase.

3. Remaining Population and Refugee Status Determination

While a majority of asylum seekers returned to Mozambique, a number remained unwilling to do so. Many of those who stayed cited fears for their safety, particularly individuals with political affiliations who feared persecution upon return. Others reported trauma from earlier violence, including assaults, arson attacks, and property loss.

As of 26 April 2025, 336 households (671 individuals) remained registered as Mozambican asylum seekers at Nyamithuthu Camp. On 27 April, the Department for Refugees (DfR) conducted a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) exercise to assess eligibility for refugee status. Of the 268 individuals targeted for interviews, 221 participated, but their claims were found to lack credibility. Most applicants failed to provide consistent or verifiable information about their origins or experiences. Consequently, all 221 individuals were recommended for denial of refugee status. The Government of Malawi concluded that the remaining asylum seekers did not qualify as persons of concern requiring protection.

4. Camp Closure:

Following the RSD outcomes, Nyamithuthu Camp was officially closed by the Government of Malawi on 30 April 2025. During the process, it was observed that the Mozambican authorities repatriated not only asylum seekers linked to the 2024 unrest but also other Mozambican nationals who opted to return. Despite ongoing reconciliation efforts, reports of insecurity and violent protests in Mozambique persisted, suggesting that new asylum inflows into Malawi could continue in the future.

5. Post-Closure Humanitarian Response

In response to the camp closure and its effects on host communities, the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), with support from the IFRC Harare Cluster, submitted an operations update in May 2025. The update requested approval for additional activities aimed at rehabilitating affected host communities, focusing on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in schools and nearby villages. Following the approval, a WASH assessment was carried out between 20 and 25 June 2025. The assessment found that key sanitation activities such as solarization of water systems, desludging, and latrine maintenance could not be completed before the DREF operation's official closure in August 2025. This revealed a gap between the planned interventions and the achievable implementation timeframe.

6. Impact on Host Communities

The arrival and temporary settlement of asylum seekers placed significant strain on host communities and public infrastructure. Local villages lacked sufficient capacity to provide essential health services such as first aid, mental health support, and epidemic prevention awareness. This increased vulnerability to potential health crises. Access to safe water remained limited, as asylum seekers relied heavily on boreholes in host communities. These boreholes were later damaged when tensions escalated after the announcement that none of the remaining asylum seekers qualified for refugee protection. Pipes, roads, and pedestals were destroyed or filled with mud, further disrupting water access. In the education sector, children of asylum seekers were integrated into three nearby schools, which became overcrowded. The heavy use of school latrines resulted in deterioration and filling of sanitation facilities, with two schools now requiring urgent rehabilitation. Despite repeated requests from the Department for Refugees, these sanitation challenges remained unresolved due to competing priorities among humanitarian actors.

7. Key Observations and Outstanding Needs

• The repatriation process demonstrated strong collaboration between the Governments of Malawi and Mozambique, but logistical challenges hindered efficiency.

• The lack of sustainable WASH infrastructure in host communities highlighted the need for longer-term recovery support beyond camp closure.

• Health and sanitation systems in affected areas remained overstretched, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, particularly cholera.

• Rehabilitation of damaged boreholes and latrines, along with continued hygiene promotion, was urgently required to restore community resilience.