At least twenty houses were demolished in Dzaleka camp, Malawi, sparking allegations of corruption among refugees. The demolitions have drawn scrutiny over the camp's management. Concerns have been raised that some officials from the Dzaleka camp's management committee or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are allegedly granting plots without proper legal basis and engaging in corrupt practices. Specifically, some officials from the camp's management committee or UNHCR are accused of granting plots without any legal basis, contributing to the current crisis.
Camp Administration's Stance
The Dzaleka camp administration stated its intention to end "anarchic constructions" within its premises. The camp administration aims to end anarchic constructions, which it views as a significant challenge to orderly management. As a measure, the administration has suspended the allocation of new plots and the issuance of construction permits. This suspension is a direct response to the perceived unauthorized development within the camp. The president of the camp warned against unauthorized activities, stating, "Certains cadres du comité de direction du camp ou encore du HCR s’arrogent le droit d’octroyer des parcelles sans aucun fondement légal. Ils passent outre les mesures prises au niveau interne et sont sans nul doute corrompus" (Certain officials from the camp's management committee or the UNHCR arrogate the right to grant plots without any legal basis. They disregard internal measures and are undoubtedly corrupt). The president of the camp further indicated that individuals involved in these practices would face sanctions, emphasizing the administration's commitment to addressing the alleged corruption. The president of the camp warned that those involved in these practices will be sanctioned, underlining the seriousness of the situation.
Refugee Claims and Accusations
The demolitions, which targeted the New Katuza and Blantyre areas within Dzaleka camp, have been described by refugees as an 'arnaque' (scam). Refugees claim that individuals seeking land are sometimes compelled to pay officials involved in plot allocation to receive priority service. Some individuals seeking land are allegedly forced to pay officials involved in plot allocation to be served before others, exacerbating the sense of injustice among the refugee population.
Several refugees whose houses were destroyed have contested accusations of illegal construction. These individuals maintain they obtained their plots legally before proceeding with construction. Refugees claim they obtained their plots legally before building their homes, asserting their right to the land. "Nous avions obtenu ces parcelles légalement," several refugees stated. Despite these assertions, the camp administration does not recognize these land acquisitions, and they are not recorded in any official register. These land acquisitions are not recognized by the camp administration and are not in any official register, creating a fundamental disagreement over land ownership. Consequently, several victims of the demolitions have acknowledged not possessing official documents for their plots. This discrepancy between refugee claims of legal acquisition and the administration's lack of record-keeping forms a central point of contention in the ongoing dispute, with several victims acknowledging not having official documents for their plots.
Overcrowding and Land Pressure
The demolished areas, specifically New Katuza and Blantyre, are densely populated by Congolese and Burundian refugees. Land pressure is particularly strong within Dzaleka camp, exacerbated by a lack of available space and extensive waiting lists for plots. Land pressure is particularly strong in the camp due to lack of space and long waiting lists for plots, making land allocation a highly contentious issue. The camp, originally designed to accommodate up to 12,000 inhabitants, currently houses over 50,000 refugees. More than 11,000 of these refugees are Burundian. This population figure means the camp is operating at more than four times its planned capacity, contributing significantly to the strain on resources and land allocation. The camp was designed to accommodate up to 12,000 inhabitants, yet it currently houses over 50,000 refugees, noting the severe overcrowding. Over 11,000 of the refugees are Burundian, further illustrating the diverse population within the constrained space. The camp is more than four times its planned capacity, creating immense pressure on existing infrastructure and services.
Ongoing Crisis and Future Steps
Demolitions continue, resulting in several refugee families becoming homeless. The ongoing demolitions are leaving several refugee families homeless, raising humanitarian concerns. To address the severe overcrowding and land pressure within Dzaleka, a new site is currently being finalized. The development aims to decongest Dzaleka camp, which currently houses over 50,000 refugees. A new site is being finalized to decongest Dzaleka, offering a potential solution to the persistent challenges of space and resource management.