By Vincent Gunde
DOWA-(MaraviPost)-About 23 refugees who were forcibly relocated to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa district on the night of Friday, 18th August 2023 escaped from carbon monoxide poisoning death in one of the overcrowded tents which have 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.
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 car and fuel to transport the victims to Dowa District Hospital.
’’The sick received vital assistance to regain their consciousness 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 consciousness on Sunday morning, August 20, 2023, and was on the fifth drip.
In May 2023 Francis Nkurunzinza was 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 have resulted in a lack of electricity at the Dzaleka Camp making the provision of a water pump not operational and no lights are making the 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 discriminatory and unjust, the refugees in Malawi have been reduced to a complete dependence on insufficient aid, a development which is worrisome to all.
