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Malawi Refugee Guide
The Malawi Refugee Guide provides an overview of the historical and current circumstances of refugees at Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Designed to inform and educate, the guide also dispels myths and offers insights into life in the camp, covering key topics such as historical context, legal frameworks, living conditions, and the roles of stakeholders. More than a factual resource, the guide also challenges misconceptions, fosters informed dialogue, and serves as a tool for education, advocacy, and action. It empowers readers—whether citizens, policymakers, or allies—to support meaningful reforms that uphold the dignity and rights of refugees, contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Our story
Meet our founder, Innocent Magambi.
As a refugee from birth, Inua Advocacy (formerly Inua Consulting) founder Innocent Magambi survived on emergency food handouts for the first 27 years of his life until he was offered the opportunity of a college education. It was then that he channeled all his resources to improving living standards for people living inside and around Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi by founding non-profit There is Hope.
Innocent led There is Hope for fifteen years, impacting thousands of refugees and Malawians through educational scholarships, vocational training and job creation. A strong believer in healthy leadership succession, he recently left the non-profit, which now operates with a staff of 53 and a leadership team of local professionals.
Author of the book Refugee For Life, Innocent recounts not just his refugee journey, but the power of an individual to spark change for an entire community.
In addition to his lived experience both as a recipient of charity and an orchestrator of development, Innocent incorporates lessons learned from fellowship programs such as the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa and the African Visionary Fellowship by Segal Family Foundation.
A refugee rights activist at heart, Innocent enjoys inspiring people to see the bigger picture and to reach for their full potential.
Innocent is regularly invited to speak about his experience and initiatives at numerous venues including Oxford University and Rotary clubs in Kansas City. He has been featured on DW.com , BBC World Service, and The Guardian among others.
Inua Advocacy
About us
Inua Advocacy is an independent civil society organisation that advocates for refugee rights in Malawi and beyond. Our vision is a world where no refugee is trapped in statelessness, and our mission is to ensure that all actors in refugee affairs are committed to promoting sustainable solutions that uphold human rights. We also serve as an African Union Observer, having been granted Observer Status by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
Refugees in Malawi do not have the right to work, own property, move freely, integrate or become citizens. This applies also to those who were born here from 1994 onwards, when Dzaleka camp was established. Confined to living in the refugee camp indefinitely, they must survive on monthly support from the World Food Programme (WFP), which is currently the equivalent of $7.5 per month per person.
We strive to see a healthy refugee policy developed and implemented in Malawi that focuses on self-reliance, participation and sustainability.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Desmond Tutu
Watch this short video to gain deeper insight into refugee life in Dzaleka Camp after the forced relocation.
What we do
Create accountability
We believe that being in a position to serve is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, service providers, whether individuals or agencies, should respect and uphold the dignity of those they serve. Our goal is to hold those who serve refugees accountable.
- We collect complaints from the refugee population about the services they receive. We escalate complaints as needed and demand action. We aim to reduce camp residents’ frustration with the perceived indifference to their concerns while increasing a sense of accountability for organisations working in the camp.
- We collect data on client satisfaction to encourage positive service delivery from organizations operating in the refugee camp.
“Those who undermine the dignity of the people they serve are not worthy of the privilege of serving.” Innocent Magambi
Lobby and campaign
We lobby for the amendment of the 1989 Malawi Refugee Act that imposes the indefinite encampment of all refugees, without the right to work, freedom of movement, nor prospect for integration. We are committed to seeing Malawi implement the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) according to the pledges made in 2016 and 2019.
- We strive to generate media coverage of matters affecting refugees in Malawi
- We build bridges among influential bodies and recruit allies
- We produce and disseminate reports to provide data on refugees in Malawi
“Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.” Napoleon Bonaparte
Facilitate legal representation
Often refugees who face discrimination and injustice have no recourse. We have recorded arbitrary arrests, trials without representation, as well as deportations without trial. Our lawyer provides refugee clients with both legal representation and advice.
“Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught.” Honore de Balzac
Support refugee leaders and provide emergency relief
The displaced community demonstrates resilience in a variety of ways, including advocacy of self, community organisation, and responding to the needs of their neighbours with little or no support. We support emerging and community leaders to overcome many obstacles as they care for their community.
We occasionally provide emergency relief such as food, access to medical care and support towards dignified shelter to refugees and asylum-seekers in need.
“Nothing about me, without me.” Andrew Lansley
Reach out if you’d like to get behind our cause, subscribe to our mailing list, or make a donation that will make a difference.
Grow with us
Inua Advocacy
Lilongwe, Malawi
info@inuaadvocacy.org
+265 882 717 995
Dzaleka, Malawi
+265 886 44 72 77
+265 996 44 72 78
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