By Alice Sitima
Amid growing concerns over camp security following the withdrawal of key relief agencies such as UNHCR, Dowa Police and Inua Advocacy held a strategic meeting aimed at addressing safety challenges affecting refugees at Dzaleka Camp.
The engagement took place on Friday, July 11, at Ubuntu Hall and featured a panel-style discussion that welcomed input from refugee leaders and community members.
Inua Advocacy, an independent civil society organization dedicated to defending refugee rights in Malawi and beyond, plays a pivotal role in empowering refugee leadership, offering emergency support, delivering legal advice, and promoting service provider accountability.
During the meeting, participants expressed several pressing concerns, such as unregulated operation of bars beyond permitted hours, nighttime loitering under the guise of individual rights, criminals exploiting children to avoid prosecution, unconditional release of suspects, which undermines community trust among others.
In response, Dowa Police Station Officer Mrs. Annie Kaunda, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), assured the community of intensified patrols within the camp in coordination with the Dzaleka Community Policing Forum (Sungu-Sungu).
She also urged community leaders to take an active role in maintaining security by sharing credible information with police, underlining that collaborative transparency is vital for effective law enforcement.
Burundian community leader Ndulomana Nasolo commended both Dowa Police and Inua Advocacy for facilitating the initiative and pledged to disseminate the security message among fellow refugees.
Project Manager for Inua Advocacy, Apatsa Mhango, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting refugee safety and strengthening its partnership with law enforcement agencies.
Recently, Inua donated reflective jackets to Sungu-Sungu and surrounding community policing structures, a gesture made through Dowa Police to enhance security patrols.
As Malawi approaches its electoral period, the gathering was reminded to uphold peace and refrain from political violence to preserve harmony within the camp.
