Dzaleka Refugee Camp
Located 41 km north of Lilongwe, Dzaleka is Malawi's only refugee camp—home to over 56,000 people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and other nations.
Establishment & Historical Context
Dzaleka Refugee Camp was established in 1994 by the Government of Malawi and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to host individuals fleeing ethnic violence and genocide in Burundi, and subsequently the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Originally designed for 10,000–12,000 residents across 201 hectares, the camp was intended as temporary shelter. However, with ongoing conflicts in the Great Lakes region and limited durable solutions, Dzaleka has become a permanent home for multiple generations of families.
The site was formerly a political detention center during the Hastings Kamuzu Banda era before being repurposed for humanitarian use.
Demographics & Population
As of August 2024, Dzaleka houses 55,425 refugees and asylum-seekers, with design capacity long exceeded—approximately 5x the intended population.
Other nationalities include Ethiopia, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and several other African nations. The camp has a young population, with over 60% under the age of 18, and continues to receive new arrivals monthly.
Camp Zones
The camp is divided into zones named after Malawian towns and cities, each with its own unique character. The government set up the zones for administrative purposes.
Lisungwi
Kawale 1 & 2
Likuni 1 & 2
Zomba
Blantyre
Katubza
Governance & Operational Framework
Services & Facilities
Serving a community of over 80,000 people—including both camp residents and neighbors from surrounding villages—the Dzaleka Health Centre is the medical backbone of the area.
Operated by UNHCR in partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health, the center works tirelessly to provide essential outpatient care, maternal health support, and vital vaccination programs. Despite the high volume of patients, dedicated staff manage everything from chronic disease treatment to community health education.
Support is bolstered by partners like Beit-CURE Children's Hospital, which runs mobile clinics for children with treatable disabilities.
Education is a priority in Dzaleka, with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) leading the way by providing schooling for over 5,000 students across all grade levels.
A standout success is the Dzaleka Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), which welcomes both refugee and Malawian students and is nationally recognized for its academic excellence. Beyond formal schooling, the camp buzzes with learning opportunities, from private initiates coordinated by RISA to tech hubs like TakenoLAB and AppFactory empowering youth with digital skills.
Legal Framework
Malawi's current refugee law maintains reservations to the 1951 Refugee Convention, restricting refugees' rights to:
- Freedom of movement (encampment policy)
- Right to work and hold business licenses
- Property ownership outside the camp
A Special Law Commission began reviewing the 1989 Act in January 2024, with a new Refugee Bill expected by December 2025. Key proposed changes include lifting restrictions on employment and movement, aligning with international standards, and enabling access to national services.
Malawi also launched its first National Implementation Plan on Migration (2025–2029) and the Keyilizi Open Settlement pilot.
Current Challenges
Resources & References
Want to Learn More?
Explore daily life in Dzaleka or plan a guided visit to experience this remarkable community firsthand.