US embassy cable - 05LILONGWE541

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000541 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/AFR MARY LANGE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PHUM, PGOV, EAID, MI, Refugee 
SUBJECT: UNHCR, GOM MARK WORLD REFUGEE DAY, KEEP CAMPS OPEN 
 
REF: LILONGWE 416 
 
1. UNHCR, in coordination with the Government of Malawi 
(GOM), held a day-long event to mark World Refugee Day. 
Guests from the GOM, the Diplomatic Corps, and NGOs were 
provided a comprehensive overview and tour at the Dzaleka 
camp just north of Lilongwe.  The event focused on this 
year's theme, "It Takes Courage to be a Refugee" and 
culminated in lively traditional dance performances by each 
national group in the camp. 
 
2.  UNHCR representatives used the event as an opportunity 
to inform PolOff of some recent developments, including the 
GOM's decision to keep both camps in Malawi open (reftel). 
According to UNHCR, the Dzaleka camp has a population of 
approximately 6,000 while the Luwani camp (re-opened in late 
2003) in the south of Malawi has approximately 1,000.  All 
new arrivals will now be placed at Luwani camp.  UNHCR also 
noted that the refugee population is extremely transient and 
consists largely of "second-settlement" asylum applicants 
who are moving from camp to camp in a southerly direction. 
They speculated that the ultimate destination is South 
Africa, where many refugees hope to find jobs and economic 
prosperity.  UNHCR and GOM officials indicated that the 
refugee status adjudication process has a backlog of nearly 
2,000 cases and is currently undergoing revision. 
 
3.  Officials also lamented the recent increase in criminal 
activities at the camp.  While the camps are largely 
peaceful, they said, there have been recent isolated 
incidents of mob violence related to the "gacaca" community 
justice process.  Additionally, they said, a few disturbing 
incidents of kidnapped, murdered, and mutilated children 
have occurred, likely related to "muti", traditional 
witchcraft rituals.  Refugee leaders and UNHCR are working 
in coordination with the GOM to investigate these incidents. 
 
4.  The event featured a drama presentation on HIV/AIDS, an 
issue that is not addressed at Dzaleka camp outside of a 
medical context.  The camp, which is organized as a large 
village, has no HIV/AIDS posters, information centers, or 
obvious educational campaigns other than those at the 
clinic.  UNHCR officials and camp administrators were not 
aware of any plans to increase HIV/AIDS awareness at either 
camp. 
GILMOUR