Blantyre, Malawi - Police in the central Malawi mountainous district of Dedza have rounded up 148 Ethiopians who had fled from a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)/Malawi government designated refugee camp, police said here Wednesday.
"Police caught the Ethiopians as they were hiding in a hill," said police spokes man Flanklin Gausi.
Gausi told PANA the Ethiopians, who included women and children, had hiked and walked the 200 kilometres from the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in the central district of Dowa.
He said during interrogation the Ethiopians said they wanted to flee to Zimbabwe through Mozambique.
"They said they were running away from problems at the camp," he said.
Dedza lies on the porous Malawi/Mozambique border.
"People in the Linthipe area tipped us after noticing the strange people in Lint hipe Hill who were talking in an incomprehensible tongue," he said.
Gausi said the Ethiopians fled Dzaleka Monday.
Police rounded them up in the hill and took them to the immigration office in the district which has since returned them to Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
There are about 10,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi mainly from the Great Lakes region of Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo as well as Somalia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
At the peak of Mozambique's 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, Malawi hosted over 1 million Mozambican refugees some of whom have settled and married or got married in Malawi.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Malawi Inflation Rate Rose to 9.1% in August on Food (Update1)
Malawi's annual inflation rate increased to 9.1 percent in August, the third consecutive monthly rise, as food, beverage and tobacco costs rose, the National Statistics Office said.
Inflation accelerated from 8.7 percent in July, the Zomba- based office said in an e-mailed statement today. Food prices rose after the cost of corn, a staple, increased to $25 per 50- kilogram (110-pound) bag on the open market in August from $19 set by the government at the end of July to curb profiteering.
The southern African nation, which earns more than half its export income from agriculture, is targeting inflation of 6 percent this year.
Inflation accelerated from 8.7 percent in July, the Zomba- based office said in an e-mailed statement today. Food prices rose after the cost of corn, a staple, increased to $25 per 50- kilogram (110-pound) bag on the open market in August from $19 set by the government at the end of July to curb profiteering.
The southern African nation, which earns more than half its export income from agriculture, is targeting inflation of 6 percent this year.
Malawi’s border officials to be taught combat avian flu
US Public Affairs Officer John Warner said on Thursday that there was need for Malawi’s local officials and health surveillance assistants from key cross border areas to be provided with fundamental knowledge and skills on how to combat avian flu in the border areas of the country.
Warner said in Lilongwe that his government would conduct a series of courses in the border districts of Mchinji, Karonga, Mulanje and Mwanza to help combat the disease which mainly attacks poultry, birds as well as human beings.
\"We would like to work with Malawi on the preparedness of this disease, mainly in the border areas, because the disease has not yet reached Malawi but it can be migrated from other countries,\" he said.
He said the programme would also include a component on how to communicate effectively to people regarding prevention and control of the deadly disease.
Warner said in Lilongwe that his government would conduct a series of courses in the border districts of Mchinji, Karonga, Mulanje and Mwanza to help combat the disease which mainly attacks poultry, birds as well as human beings.
\"We would like to work with Malawi on the preparedness of this disease, mainly in the border areas, because the disease has not yet reached Malawi but it can be migrated from other countries,\" he said.
He said the programme would also include a component on how to communicate effectively to people regarding prevention and control of the deadly disease.
Malawi unveils newspaper for illiterates
Dominic Phiri, Editor-in-Chief designate, said after the launch of the newspaper in Blantyre on Tuesday that their initiative would benefit the majority of illiterates in Malawi.
“The paper will be called 'Mau Athu' (Our Voice), and news will be gathered by our reporters - who will be interviewing people who have never been to school, and do not know how to write, about their experiences and how they hope to achieve development strides for the country in their state. People out there have knowledge and good ideas but lack outlets. We feel they can help government attain this," said Phiri.
The street newspaper has already employed 10 reporters. Interestingly, some of these reporters are people who have never been to school. But the editor-in-chief said they will be trained, and will provide the link to other people who have never been to school.
“These people know the challenges they face and are in better position to understand others unlike a classroom reporter who is only interested in his bread and butter,” he said.
The paper will be located in Blantyre, and will be tackling issues related to street children and opportunities that exist. Proceeds from sales will be used to support vulnerable children.
“The paper will be called 'Mau Athu' (Our Voice), and news will be gathered by our reporters - who will be interviewing people who have never been to school, and do not know how to write, about their experiences and how they hope to achieve development strides for the country in their state. People out there have knowledge and good ideas but lack outlets. We feel they can help government attain this," said Phiri.
The street newspaper has already employed 10 reporters. Interestingly, some of these reporters are people who have never been to school. But the editor-in-chief said they will be trained, and will provide the link to other people who have never been to school.
“These people know the challenges they face and are in better position to understand others unlike a classroom reporter who is only interested in his bread and butter,” he said.
The paper will be located in Blantyre, and will be tackling issues related to street children and opportunities that exist. Proceeds from sales will be used to support vulnerable children.
Malawi police intercept Ethiopian refugees
Malawi police in the central Dedza district bordering Mozambique on Thursday intercepted over 100 Ethiopian refugees who were on their way to South Africa, using Mozambique and eventually Zimbabwe as transit points, APA has learnt here.
Police spokesperson Franklin Gausi said the refugees fled from Dzaleka Refugee Camp, 150 km north of the district, during the weekend and were hiding in Linthipe Hills waiting to cross the borders using uncharted routes.
“We intercepted them after villagers tipped the police that strange people are hiding in the hills,” he said.
Gausi said the refugees were complaining that they fled the camp due to lack of proper shelter and inadequate food.
The refugees have since been sent back to Dzaleka camp to wait for proper repatriation.
Police spokesperson Franklin Gausi said the refugees fled from Dzaleka Refugee Camp, 150 km north of the district, during the weekend and were hiding in Linthipe Hills waiting to cross the borders using uncharted routes.
“We intercepted them after villagers tipped the police that strange people are hiding in the hills,” he said.
Gausi said the refugees were complaining that they fled the camp due to lack of proper shelter and inadequate food.
The refugees have since been sent back to Dzaleka camp to wait for proper repatriation.
YC MALAWI - MALWIAN LEADER REPORTS
THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING AND IT’S MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES.
GLOBAL YOUTH MISSION TEAMS.
Sitting in the balcony of the Lilongwe Pentecostal church, suddenly I saw the first bus full of young people. These were not Malawians but Canadians! Looking up to the sky I said thank you Lord! A few minutes later the church was filled with these energetic young people with the passion to share about Christ. This was the beginning of the big Youth event called YC Malawi.
Dynamite exploded when these young Canadians were joined together with the local Malawians.9 amazing teams were formed each with at least 12 people. Their mission was simple, “to go where they will find people and reach out to them with the gospel of Christ. “ Market places, churches, orphanages, villages, prisons - they went everywhere to share the love of Christ with the people they met. Toys, soccer balls, music, drama - all were used to attract masses of young Malawians. Simple obedience to Christ's command to "Go and preach the Gospel to everyone" produced wonderful testimonies everyday!
YC MALAWI 08:08:08 – THE EVENT.
“What is this? What are you building here? What international secular band is coming here?” These were some of the many questions that people were asking as the musical gear was being planted right at the heart of the silver stadium in the Warm Heart of Africa, Malawi. For sure, this was the first of its kind in the history of the Malawi nation. To the few that I disclosed that it was a Gospel crusade, they could not believe it until they saw it for themselves on Friday.
The fire of the Lord was ignited into the lives of those thousands of young people as the different bands took the stage: African Enterprise Foxfire band, Leeland, Canadian Worship Team band, Ethel Kamwendo, Papa San and many others. Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa" quickly became the hot heart of Africa! Looking over the crowd I saw drunkards, junkies and I saw families! I knew that God has started a new thing. It was a new day for this young nation of ours. The sick came as well as many street kids and orphans who were present in the stadium.
I stood up to sing, “if you believe and I believe and then together pray, the Holy Spirit will come down and Malawi will be saved.” Immediately I saw hope in the eyes where there was no hope. I saw the anxiety and fear going. And as we sang, “African Unite,” what a joy filled our hearts, am talking of the joy that brings new strength to achieve new things for the Lord. I new the youth of Lilongwe will never be the same.
In the middle of the Saturday afternoon program, I withdrew from the crowds and went right at the back of the stadium. Guess what I saw? I saw Malawi jumping. I saw Malawi smiling, singing and dancing in the midst of hunger, HIV/Aids and poverty. And then I saw Malawi going forward to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Hundreds of people came to the Lord each day! What an answer to prayer!
GLOBAL YOUTH MISSION TEAMS.
Sitting in the balcony of the Lilongwe Pentecostal church, suddenly I saw the first bus full of young people. These were not Malawians but Canadians! Looking up to the sky I said thank you Lord! A few minutes later the church was filled with these energetic young people with the passion to share about Christ. This was the beginning of the big Youth event called YC Malawi.
Dynamite exploded when these young Canadians were joined together with the local Malawians.9 amazing teams were formed each with at least 12 people. Their mission was simple, “to go where they will find people and reach out to them with the gospel of Christ. “ Market places, churches, orphanages, villages, prisons - they went everywhere to share the love of Christ with the people they met. Toys, soccer balls, music, drama - all were used to attract masses of young Malawians. Simple obedience to Christ's command to "Go and preach the Gospel to everyone" produced wonderful testimonies everyday!
YC MALAWI 08:08:08 – THE EVENT.
“What is this? What are you building here? What international secular band is coming here?” These were some of the many questions that people were asking as the musical gear was being planted right at the heart of the silver stadium in the Warm Heart of Africa, Malawi. For sure, this was the first of its kind in the history of the Malawi nation. To the few that I disclosed that it was a Gospel crusade, they could not believe it until they saw it for themselves on Friday.
The fire of the Lord was ignited into the lives of those thousands of young people as the different bands took the stage: African Enterprise Foxfire band, Leeland, Canadian Worship Team band, Ethel Kamwendo, Papa San and many others. Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa" quickly became the hot heart of Africa! Looking over the crowd I saw drunkards, junkies and I saw families! I knew that God has started a new thing. It was a new day for this young nation of ours. The sick came as well as many street kids and orphans who were present in the stadium.
I stood up to sing, “if you believe and I believe and then together pray, the Holy Spirit will come down and Malawi will be saved.” Immediately I saw hope in the eyes where there was no hope. I saw the anxiety and fear going. And as we sang, “African Unite,” what a joy filled our hearts, am talking of the joy that brings new strength to achieve new things for the Lord. I new the youth of Lilongwe will never be the same.
In the middle of the Saturday afternoon program, I withdrew from the crowds and went right at the back of the stadium. Guess what I saw? I saw Malawi jumping. I saw Malawi smiling, singing and dancing in the midst of hunger, HIV/Aids and poverty. And then I saw Malawi going forward to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Hundreds of people came to the Lord each day! What an answer to prayer!
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