By Vincent Gunde
23 refugees who were forcibly relocated to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa district on the night of Friday, August 18, 2023 escaped from carbon monoxide poisoning death in one of the overcrowded tents which has become home for returned refugees since May 17, 2023.
According to Innocent Magambi, a refugee rights advocate and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inua Advocacy, men, women and children began vomiting, fainting and struggling to breathe just before midnight of Friday 18th August, 2023.
Magambi said the victims were rushed to Dzaleka clinic where they were informed by the health personnel that the facility could not handle the situation and were referred to the main Dowa District Hospital.
He said due to UNHCR funding shortages, the Dzaleka Ambulance had not been fueled thanking the intervention of a Dzaleka community leader who used his own car and fuel to transport the victims to Dowa District Hospital.
‘’The sick received vital assistance to regain their conscious escaping from carbon monoxide poisoning death,’’said Magambi.
The Rights Advocate said those affected by the carbon monoxide poisoning have since been discharged except one, a-46-year-old man, Francis Nkurunziza who had just regained conscious on Sunday morning, 20th August, 2023 and was on the fifth drip.
In May, 2023 Francis Nkurunzinza attacked by police in Salima where he was plying his business during the relocation exercise, all of his wares were either stolen or burnt and he returned to Dzaleka Camp in Dowa empty-handed.
Magambi said the UNHCR funding cuts has resulted in a lack of electricity at the Dzaleka Camp making the provision of a water pump not operational and there are no lights making lives of the returnees so bearable.
He said tents are the only place where these returnees can sleep, cook and store their beddings lamenting that the people who are being affected by these events were all previously able to provide a dignified living by themselves and their children while contributing to the local economy as active members of the society.
The Rights Activist has expressed fears that because of the Refugee Act which they find it discriminatory and unjust, the refugees in Malawi have been reduced to a complete dependence on insufficient aid, a development which is worrisome to all.
