International Organization for Migration Malawi

30/06/2026

IOM Malawi, on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, facilitated the voluntary return of 11 Ethiopian migrants.

The group, comprising nine adults and two minors, was assisted to return to Ethiopia via Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

Prior to departure, IOM conducted screening and verification processes for the migrants, who had been detained at Maula Prison following their interception by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services (DoICS).

The assistance was provided following an official request from DoICS to support the migrants’ safe and voluntary return to their country of origin.

Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) in Malawi is a humanitarian assistance programme implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in a host or transit country and who choose to return voluntarily to their country of origin. The programme facilitates safe, dignified, and informed return by providing counselling, travel arrangements, travel documentation support, and reception assistance upon arrival. In Malawi, AVR also targets vulnerable groups, including stranded migrants, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied migrant children, asylum seekers, and migrants with health-related needs.

30/06/2026

Yesterday, IOM Malawi through the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) -HIV Knows No Borders Project, distributed start-up kits and vocational tools to the youth and s*x workers who have completed various skills training programmes at Nkhwazi Community Skills Development Centre and Kamuzu School Resource Centre in Mchinji.

The support will benefit 60 young people and s*x workers in Mchinji, equipped with tools for tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, and motorcycle mechanics, enabling them to transform the skills they have acquired into sustainable livelihoods. The distribution forms part of IOM’s broader effort to promote economic empowerment, reduce irregular migration, and address vulnerabilities linked to limited livelihood opportunities. Mchinji, being a border district, is tempting for the youth to leave the country in search of better opportunities, which are often unsafe.

Speaking during the event, IOM Malawi Chief of Mission, Fatma Said, emphasized that the tools are intended to help beneficiaries hone their skills, establish and grow their own businesses, creating pathways to self-reliance and brighter futures. She had the opportunity to visit the first recipients of sewing machines last year, who have now opened a shop in their community where they have started sewing clothes and reusable sanitary pads.

Mchinji District Assistant Youth Officer, Joseph Manthalu, welcomed the initiative, noting that it comes at a crucial time for a border district where many young people migrate in search of opportunities. Centre Principal Geoffrey Kachila and beneficiary representative Nomsa Kumwenda expressed gratitude for the support, saying the start-up kits will empower beneficiaries to become job creators within their communities.

Through the five-year SRHR-HIV Knows No Borders Project, IOM has also provided similar support to beneficiaries in Mwanza and Neno, reinforcing its commitment to empowering vulnerable groups with practical skills and resources that foster resilience, dignity, and economic independence.

26/06/2026

Over the past 2 months, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, has continued to make significant strides in modernizing border management through the rollout of the Border Pass System (BPS).

During a visit to Dedza One Stop Border Post, IOM Malawi Chief of Mission Fatma Said and the Director General for the Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services Counsel Dennis Chipao, inspected the deployment and pilot implementation of the Border Pass card. The Director General was successfully enrolled into the system, receiving his Border Pass card while witnessing the entire process, from registration and authorization to printing and issuance, demonstrating the system's efficiency and operational readiness.

Building on this success, the Border Pass System has also been successfully deployed at Mwanza One-Stop Border Post, a key gateway connecting Malawi and Mozambique. The implementation included system installation, configuration, testing, and comprehensive training for immigration officers, equipping them with the skills to independently operate and maintain the system.
Beyond the technical rollout, IOM engaged district authorities, immigration officials, traditional leaders, cross-border communities, and women traders in both Dedza and Mwanza. These consultations helped strengthen local ownership, raise awareness, and ensure the system responds to the needs of those who rely on cross-border movement.

The Border Pass card is a travel document designed to facilitate safe and efficient cross-border movement for residents and small-scale traders living within 20 kilometers of the Malawi–Mozambique border. Under the bilateral agreement between the two countries, eligible cardholders can travel up to 50 kilometers across the border, promoting trade, mobility, and stronger cross-border relations.

The Border Pass System is expected to improve traveller processing, strengthen data collection, enhance transparency, and deliver better services for travellers and traders while promoting stronger coordination among border agencies.

Looking ahead, IOM will continue expanding the Border Pass System to Mangochi and Mulanje border points, further supporting safe, orderly, and regular cross-border movement in Malawi.

24/06/2026

IOM Malawi Chief of Mission (CoM), Fatma Said, recently visited Dzaleka Refugee Camp to assess ongoing operations, engage with stakeholders, and better understand the key challenges facing the refugee population.

During a courtesy call with camp management, the CoM met with the Deputy Commissioner for Refugees, Ivy Mpina, who provided an overview of the camp. She highlighted the Department for Refugees’ ongoing efforts, particularly in maintaining security within the camp, while noting that a major challenge remains insufficient funding to meet the growing needs of the refugee population, largely due to reduced donor support.

At the reception centre, the CoM observed that the camp continues to receive more than 300 new arrivals each month. These new arrivals are temporarily accommodated in tents for up to six months before being integrated into the camp. However, the visit also revealed significant challenges, including overcrowding and the poor condition of reception facilities.

IOM also engaged with refugee community leaders to hear directly from residents about their experiences and concerns. Key issues raised included limited access to food supplies and ongoing security concerns within the camp.

As part of the visit, the CoM toured selected areas known as “kholas,” which are considered high-risk zones associated with human trafficking. Although these locations are reportedly owned by Ethiopian nationals, no individuals were present at the time of the visit. The purpose of this tour was to better understand potential trafficking patterns and vulnerabilities within the camp.

The visit concluded with an engagement with Ubuntu, a local organization operating within Dzaleka. Ubuntu focuses on providing free education to children and addressing critical child protection issues, playing an important role in supporting the camp’s most vulnerable populations.

This visit provided valuable insights into the operational realities at Dzaleka Refugee Camp and strengthened engagement with key stakeholders, helping to inform ongoing and future interventions to better support the refugee population. We extend sincere appreciation to the Department for Refugees, camp management, refugee community leaders, Ubuntu, and all partners for their openness and collaboration. Special thanks are also extended to the police for their continued efforts in maintaining safety and security within the camp, and to everyone who contributed to making the visit both informative and impactful.

16/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE:
Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with governments and stakeholders across the region, the Regional Responses to Climate Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa (RE2CLID) Programme was officially launched in Malawi during a high-level kick-off meeting held in Lilongwe on 15 June 2026.

Follow Link Below for more information
https://malawi.iom.int/news/iom-malawi-address-climate-displacement-southern-africa-and-south-west-indian-ocean-region-eu-funded-re2clid-programme
European Union in Malawi IOM Mozambique

Lilongwe, Malawi 16 June 2026 – Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with governments and stakeholders across the region, the Regional Responses to Climate Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa (RE2CLID) Programme was o...

15/06/2026

“The floods that came on 18 March 2026 were far worse than anything we had experienced before. Water entered our homes all at once, and we were left in shock. Today, we cannot return to where we once lived, as the area has turned into rice fields. We are grateful that our traditional leaders in Chamtulo, Mangochi have allocated us land to start again, but we need support to rebuild our homes and our lives. We call on the government and partners not to leave us behind.” This was Modestar Stoken giving a speech at the kick-off meeting of the RE2CLID programme that shaped all the remarks made by invited guests.

With funding from the European Union in Malawi, The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Malawi, in partnership with the Government of Malawi convened a high-level kick-off meeting today to mark the launch of the Regional Responses to Climate Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa (RE2CLID) Programme in the Southern Africa and South-West Indian Ocean (SAIO) region. The SAIO cluster comprising Malawi, Mozambiqe, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles is considered a climate “hotspot,” facing increasingly frequent and intense climate shocks. These dynamics highlight the urgent need for coordinated, forward-looking interventions that not only respond to displacement but also anticipate and reduce risks.

The RE2CLID programme is a four-year regional effort aimed at strengthening resilience to climate shocks and addressing the growing challenge of climate-induced displacement across Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Malawi takes a leading role in this initiative, coordinating efforts across several countries in the region.

The kick-off event officially launched by the Minister of Natural Resources, Patricia Wiskies, brought together the EU Ambassador to Malawi, Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi, UN Malawi Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh, DODMA, government officials, development partners, UN agencies, the media and community representatives to raise awareness about the programme and its objectives, strengthen collaboration between key partners, showcase progress made during the inception phase and find ways of working together on the way forward.

The event reaffirmed the strong partnership between IOM, the Government of Malawi, and the European Union, while underscoring the importance of coordinated, impactful partnerships and data-driven approaches to tackling climate displacement.

As climate impacts intensify, RE2CLID will play a critical role in supporting vulnerable communities, strengthening early warning systems, and aligning national and regional efforts to build resilience and protect those most affected.

A big thank you to all partners and participants for contributing to this important milestone. Together, we move forward towards sustainable, climate-resilient solutions for Malawi and the region.

12/06/2026

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a five day training on the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) Data Visualization and Reporting Tool (DVRT) in Lilongwe from 8 to 12 June 2026.

The training brought together sixteen (16) Immigration officials and aimed to strengthen their capacity to analyse, interpret, and present migration data using advanced visualization tools. As migration data continues to grow in volume and complexity, the initiative supports the Government of Malawi in enhancing evidence-based decision-making, improving border security, and facilitating efficient migration management through the effective use of the MIDAS.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, the Immigration Commissioner for Operations emphasized that: “The ability to transform migration data into timely and actionable intelligence is critical for modern border management and national security.” He noted that investments in data analysis and reporting capacity will enable the Department to better monitor migration trends, strengthen risk analysis, and improve service delivery at ports of entry.

The IOM IBG Programme Manager in his remarks expressed that "true proactive risk management in border management does not just look for anomalies; it uses multi-dimensional depth of data sources like MIDAS to connect the dots before they become a pattern, transforming raw, multi-source intelligence into a strategic shield."

Through practical and technical sessions, participants were equipped with skills to generate dashboards, produce analytical reports and interpret migration trends.

This further reinforces a culture of data driven decision making within the Department.

12/06/2026

📣IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!

The Regional Responses to Climate-Induced Displacement programme (RE2CLID) Kick-off meeting will take place on Monday, 15th JUNE 2026 at Sunbird Capital Hotel in LILONGWE from 9:00am to 11:00am.

The RE2CLID Programme is a four-year regional intervention funded by the European Union and implemented by IOM. It aims to strengthen government and community resilience to climate shocks and address the growing challenge of climate-induced displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa.

05/06/2026

Climate change is already shaping how people live, move, adapt and rebuild. Effective climate action must protect people’s rights, reduce risks and support safe, dignified and sustainable options for those most affected. Protecting land, water and biodiversity means protecting people.

Healthy ecosystems reduce displacement pressures, support adaptation, and help communities remain where
they are, adapt, or rebuild more safely after crisis. As co-lead of the Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster, IOM witnesses every day that safer shelters, better planning, and secure land and housing are not just humanitarian needs. They are frontline climate solutions that reduce vulnerability and help communities recover.

offers a timely platform to reinforce the links between climate, migration, and resilience, and to keep the focus on practical solutions for communities under growing climate pressure.