The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), supported by generous donors, has announced a 25 percent increase in cash transfers for refugees at Dzaleka Camp, effective this month.
The adjustment will ensure that over 54,000 refugees receive 75 percent of their daily food needs, offering crucial relief during a period of escalating food insecurity.
The increase, from 50 percent to 75 percent of the daily ration, is a direct response to the worsening food insecurity driven by El Niño. Since July 2022, WFP had been compelled to reduce food assistance to 50 percent due to funding constraints. The situation in Dzaleka Camp has since deteriorated, with soaring food prices, an influx of new refugees. The El Niño-induced drought has further exacerbated food insecurity across the country.
“Our primary objective is to ensure that all refugees in the camp have access to sufficient food to thrive,” said Simon Denhere, Deputy Country Director of WFP in Malawi.
“This increase in rations is a critical step toward achieving that goal. We are deeply grateful to our donors for their continued support, and WFP remains committed to providing cash transfers that meet the full food basket needs of the refugees in the camp,” added Denhere.
According to WFP, the enhanced financial support from donors, including Denmark, France, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), USAID, and Sweden, enables the organisation to augment essential food assistance for those residing in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The cash transfers, delivered via e-payments and ATM cards, are adjusted monthly based on current market prices for key commodities such as cereals, pulses, and vegetable oil. For August, the 25 percent increase has raised the monthly amount per person from K8,900 to K13,500.
“USAID stands with refugees who have fled conflict by supporting food assistance to help them survive, recover, and regain stability. We remain committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable refugees in Dzaleka Camp,” said Pamela Fessenden, USAID Malawi Mission Director.
Arnaud Roux, Deputy Head of Mission from the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, added, “France’s support for WFP in Malawi and the refugees at Dzaleka Camp aligns closely with its International Strategy for Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Agriculture. As Paris prepares to host the Nutrition4Growth summit in May 2025, aimed at enhancing global governance on food security and nutrition, France is intensifying its food assistance efforts for vulnerable populations, bolstering their resilience.”
WFP expresses its profound gratitude for the essential contributions from donors supporting the 25 percent increase in cash transfers to refugees. Their assistance is critical in providing relief to those in Dzaleka Camp and in tackling the urgent issue of food insecurity exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought.
The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change.
Photo credit: WFP/Patricia Cepeda
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