As 2025 draws to a close, Dzaleka Camp stands at its most significant crossroads since its founding in 1994. It has been a year defined by a "perfect storm": a severe funding collapse that tested the community’s survival, contrasted against a historic legislative breakthrough that could finally change what it means to be a refugee in Malawi.
1. Reimagining the Refugee Act
For decades, the lives of Dzaleka’s residents were governed by the 1989 Refugee Act—a law criticized for prioritizing "control and containment" over human rights.On December 19, 2025, the Special Law Commission held a final validation workshop in Lilongwe to finalize the draft of the New Refugee Act. As reported by The Nation (Malawi), this landmark move marks a transition to a rights-based framework. The reform aims to finally lift the "nine reservations" that have long barred refugees from the right to work, freedom of movement, and property ownership. This shift is considered the cornerstone of Malawi’s commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees.
2. A Community Under Pressure
Despite the legal progress, the daily reality in 2025 was defined by extreme austerity. International aid reached a breaking point this year. As noted by The New Humanitarian, UNHCR received only 23% of the $26.3 million it needed for operations this year.
- Ration Cuts: The World Food Programme was forced to reduce monthly cash transfers from approximately $10.30 to under $9.00 per person, covering only about 50% of minimum caloric requirements (ReliefWeb, 2025).
- The NGO Vacuum: Budget shortfalls forced long-term partners like Plan International to withdraw entirely, leaving critical gaps in child protection and gender-based violence (SGBV) services (The New Humanitarian, Oct 2025).
- Overcrowding: The camp population surged to nearly 60,000 residents, roughly five times its intended capacity (UNHCR Strategy 2023-2026).
3. The Kayilizi Vision
In August 2025, the government officially launched its first National Implementation Plan on Migration (2025–2029). A central pillar of this plan, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is the development of the Kayilizi Open Settlement in the Chitipa District. Unlike the "closed" model of Dzaleka, Kayilizi is designed as an open settlement where refugees and locals can engage in agriculture together, serving as a practical pilot for the new rights-based legislation.4. Arts and Education
If you walked through Dzaleka in late October, you wouldn't have just seen a crisis; you would have seen a celebration.- Tumaini Festival 2025: From October 30 to November 2, the 11th edition of the Tumaini Festival proved once again that culture is a form of resistance. The refugee-led festival featured five performance areas and drew thousands of visitors.
- Skills for the Future: In November, schools like "There Is Hope" celebrated new graduates in tailoring and digital skills, providing a lifeline of self-reliance as aid fluctuates.
Sources:
- The Nation (Malawi): Revised Refugees Act to address key gaps
- The New Humanitarian: “Remember we exist”, refugees in Malawi say as aid is slashed
- IOM Malawi: National Implementation Plan on Migration (2025-2029)
- ReliefWeb: Malawi Operational Update (2025)
- UNHCR: Malawi Multi-Year Strategy 2023–2026
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