Authorities at Dzaleka Camp have raised concerns over food shortages driven by rapid population growth.
Camp Manager Elton Phulusa stated that the camp now houses over 56,000 asylum seekers, with more than 200 new arrivals and newborns each month. His remarks came as the World Food Programme (WFP) assessed its ongoing cash disbursement of K15,000 per person for selected families in February and March.
Deputy Commissioner of Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Ivy Chifundo Chihana, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring food and other essential resources remain accessible despite economic challenges.
However, WFP Interim Country Director Symon Denhere warned that cash disbursements could be completely halted due to insufficient funding from development partners, leading to severe hunger in the camp.
Since its establishment in 1994, Dzaleka Camp has relied on WFP food assistance to maintain and improve the nutrition security of refugees and asylum seekers. Due to economic constraints, WFP has since transitioned to cash-based support.
Reported by Susanna Nkhoma
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