Malawians fleeing xenophobic violence in South Africa will with immidiate effect no longer be received in Blantyre after government moved the main reception and processing centre.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) announced Thursday that all buses carrying returnees from South Africa will proceed directly to Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza instead of Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The change means returning citizens will now be processed closer to the border before being assisted to travel to their home districts, a move authorities say will speed up the repatriation exercise.
According to DoDMA, the relocation is aimed at creating a one-stop reception centre where returnees can access immigration clearance, registration, health screening and humanitarian assistance at a single location immediately after entering Malawi.
The department says processing teams and relief supplies have already been deployed to Mwanza to ensure the exercise runs smoothly.
Families and relatives expecting to receive their loved ones in Blantyre have also been advised that all reception and processing activities will now take place in Mwanza.
After completing the required procedures, the returnees will be provided with transport money to enable them to travel safely to their respective home districts.
The move comes as Malawi continues repatriating citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with thousands expressing interest in returning home.
DoDMA says the new arrangement is intended to make the repatriation process faster, safer and more dignified for the affected citizens.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) announced Thursday that all buses carrying returnees from South Africa will proceed directly to Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza instead of Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The change means returning citizens will now be processed closer to the border before being assisted to travel to their home districts, a move authorities say will speed up the repatriation exercise.
According to DoDMA, the relocation is aimed at creating a one-stop reception centre where returnees can access immigration clearance, registration, health screening and humanitarian assistance at a single location immediately after entering Malawi.
The department says processing teams and relief supplies have already been deployed to Mwanza to ensure the exercise runs smoothly.
Families and relatives expecting to receive their loved ones in Blantyre have also been advised that all reception and processing activities will now take place in Mwanza.
After completing the required procedures, the returnees will be provided with transport money to enable them to travel safely to their respective home districts.
The move comes as Malawi continues repatriating citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with thousands expressing interest in returning home.
DoDMA says the new arrangement is intended to make the repatriation process faster, safer and more dignified for the affected citizens.
