By Sama Marwan,
In response to the influx of Mozambican asylum seekers into Malawi, the European Union has allocated €200,000 in emergency humanitarian aid to help those affected meet their urgent basic needs in a safe and dignified manner.
The EU funding will support the efforts of the Malawian Red Cross Society (MRCS) in providing essential relief assistance, including shelter, clean water, multipurpose cash aid, healthcare, and hygiene services. Additionally, efforts will be directed towards addressing the impact of the refugee influx on host communities, including pressure on water resources, deforestation, and health and environmental concerns.
This project will last for six months and is scheduled for implementation until the end of August 2025, benefiting all registered asylum seekers. The funding is part of the EU’s contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Emergency Response Fund.
The surge in refugees follows post-election protests in Mozambique, where opposition claims of electoral fraud in the disputed October 2024 elections led to widespread unrest. The violence forced thousands to flee, with over 7,000 Mozambican asylum seekers currently registered in Malawi’s Nsanje and Dedza districts. To better manage the crisis, the Malawian government, in collaboration with its partners, began relocating asylum seekers to Nyamithuthu Camp on January 29.
The escalation of violent protests has resulted in mass displacement, with thousands of Mozambicans seeking refuge in neighboring Malawi, further straining humanitarian response efforts in the region. As of now, the influx is not expected to continue beyond the 100-day deadline set by the opposition leader. While the number of new arrivals has slowed, the political situation in Mozambique remains unstable, leaving the possibility of future waves of displacement open.
