Office of the Commissioner for Refugees

EDEN UNIVERSITY COMMENDED FOR MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AT MAKENI TRANSIT CENTRE

The Office of the Commissioner for Refugees would like to thank Eden University for undertaking an outreach programme which involved mental health discussions, meal sharing and gift presentation to Persons of Concern at Makeni Transit Centre. The initiative, undertaken on 17th March, 2026, is timely and commendable because it addresses an overlooked but critical aspect of refugee protection and well-being.

Speaking during a courtesy call by Eden University Programme Coordinator-Psychology Ms. Mutinta Malambo, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Refugees, Ms. Besa Chibwe called on other academic and professional institutions to emulate Eden University’s gesture by supporting Government efforts in providing care and protection to vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers, refugees, and former refugees.

Ms. Chibwe added that the Department was willing to explore partnerships which would enhance psychological counselling and social services and added that the Department offered a platform and opportunities for students at Eden University to gain valuable experience through internships.

Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees confer on voluntary repatriation of Congolese from Zambia to DRC.

ZAMBIA CLINCHES PRESTIGIOUS 2025 IJF JUDO FOR PEACE AWARD
Zambia, through the Regional Judo for Peace Programme led by the Judo Association of Zambia (JAZ), has won the prestigious 2025 International Judo Federation (IJF) Judo for Peace Award.
The win marks a major global recognition of Zambia’s commitment to peace, inclusion, and social cohesion.
The award was officially announced at the 2025 IJF Judo Awards ceremony held on the margins of the 2026 Paris Grand Slam in France.
Together with Zimbabwe and Malawi, Zambia implements the Regional Judo for Peace Programme in refugee settlements, following the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, JAZ and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The programme reaches over 1,500 participants and creates pathways for inclusion, personal development, and competitive sport. The programme has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to promoting peace, resilience, and coexistence across refugee-hosting communities in the three countries.
Zambia was nominated in the Judo for Peace Project of the Year category alongside Julien Brular – The Judo Nomad and World Judo Day: Peace of Azerbaijan.
The award was presented by Mr. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, President of the African Judo Union and IJF Vice-President, and was received by Mr. Nicolas Messner, IJF Judo for Peace Director, on behalf of the Judo Association of Zambia.
Speaking after the announcement, JAZ General Secretary, Mr. Mabvuto Nguni, said Zambia was honoured by the recognition, noting that it reflects the country’s strong commitment to using sport as a tool to promote peaceful coexistence, unity, and inclusion.
This achievement also underscores Zambia’s leadership in sport for development, in line with its pledge at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum to advance social cohesion between refugees and host communities through sports, arts, and cultural activities.
In Zambia, the Judo for Peace Programme is implemented in three refugee settlements namely Maheba Refugee Settlement in Kalumbila District of North-Western Province, Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement in Kaoma District of Western Province and Mantapala Refugee Settlement in Nchelenge District of Luapula Province.
To date, the programme has positively impacted over 1,500 refugees and Zambians, using judo as a vehicle for peace, inclusion, and shared development.
The Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, a Department in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, is excited to be part of this success story.

COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ENGAGES LUAPULA STAKEHOLDERS ON SUSPENSION OF WFP CASH ASSISTANCE IN MANTAPALA
The Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tovine Kaneneka, was in Luapula Province engaging key stakeholders following the decision by the World Food Programme (WFP) to suspend Cash-Based Transfer (CBT) assistance to Persons of Concern (PoCs) in Mantapala Refugee Settlement.
CBT is a form of humanitarian assistance where refugees receive money or vouchers, such as mobile money, debit cards, or cash, to enable them to purchase essential goods of their choice, instead of relying on in-kind food distributions.
WFP has already reduced CBT support in Mantapala from K170 to K120 per person per household, and the programme is scheduled to be fully suspended effective 1st April 2026. The suspension, driven by global funding reductions affecting UN agencies, is expected to impact approximately 11,000 refugees residing in the settlement.
During his visit, Mr. Kaneneka held meetings with the Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Evans Sikabbubba, Chieftainess Kanyembo, and Nchelenge District Commissioner, Mr. Dennyson Chishimba, to explain the anticipated negative effects of the reduction and eventual withdrawal of CBT support on the refugee population.
The Commissioner warned that the cessation of cash assistance risks deepening poverty, increasing protection concerns, weakening refugee self-reliance, and straining relations between refugees and host communities, potentially reversing gains made in development and protection. He called for concerted and coordinated efforts to mitigate the impact and ensure the continued protection and wellbeing of refugees in Mantapala.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sikabbubba emphasized that the reduction in CBT should not result in the neglect of refugees, and urged that they be mainstreamed into Government programmes, particularly farming, livelihood initiatives, and empowerment activities.
Speaking on behalf of WFP, Mr. Emmanuel Gondwe explained that the suspension of CBT is a result of global budget cuts affecting several UN agencies. He noted that WFP has invested in agriculture and livelihood support for refugees and expressed hope that relevant Government ministries would continue implementing and sustaining these initiatives.
WFP will fully suspend CBT assistance to Mantapala Refugee Settlement on 1st April 2026, underscoring the need for strengthened collaboration to safeguard refugees and promote durable, inclusive solutions.

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GOVERNMENT, ZAMSEED ENGAGE TO FOSTER COLLABORATION IN AGRICULTURE IN THE REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS

The Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tovine Kaneneka, on Thursday, 29th January 2026, met Zamseed General Manager, Mr. Kasaija Banage, to discuss strengthening agricultural development in refugee settlements as a pathway to self-reliance.

The engagement centred on scaling up farming from subsistence to commercial production, including partnerships with actors in the agriculture sector and potential off-takers to structure sustainable agricultural business models.

Opportunities in maize, to***co, and vegetable production were also explored. Zamseed pledged to support the Office of the Commissioner for Refugee’s agriculture initiatives.

Mr. Kaneneka reiterated that agriculture is a key livelihood and economic mainstay for refugees and host communities, and requested Zamseed to establish demonstration farm plots in refugee settlements to promote improved seed varieties, climate-smart agriculture, and skills development.

He further proposed the establishment of retail outlets within or near the refugee settlements, and pledged to facilitate land and space where the outlets could be set up. The Commissioner officially invited Zamseed to the 2026 World Refugee Day celebrations on 20th June 2026.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in advancing self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods for refugees in Zambia.

Strengthening Collaboration for Refugee Protection in Zambia

Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tovine Kaneneka, has continued his mission of engaging both public and private institutions to enhance stakeholder collaboration and strengthen protection for refugees and persons of concern.

Today, the Commissioner met with Mr. Kennedy Chisumpa, the Deputy Registrar General of the Department of National Registration, Passports and Citizenship (DNRPC) and his team, to discuss practical measures aimed at improving internal security and ensuring the issuance of vital documents to refugees and other vulnerable groups living in Zambia.

✅ Key outcomes from the meeting include:
- Appointment of focal point persons to address challenges in printing conventional travel documents, alien cards, and related documents.
- Agreement on cost-sharing during mobile registration exercises for issuing alien cards to refugees.
- Nomination of officers to sit on the passport issuance committee to fast-track printing of conventional travel documents.
- Commitment to print at least 10 conventional travel documents per week.
- Enhanced information sharing on refugee management and registration, including the creation of a distinct refugee data-set to avoid mixing forcibly displaced persons with other foreign nationals.

This meeting underscores the Commissioner’s unwavering commitment to uphold fundamental human rights and provide protection to refugees, while fostering stronger inter-agency collaboration for national security and inclusive development.

The joint efforts and collaboration mark a significant step toward building systems that safeguard dignity and empower those who have been forcibly displaced.

The Commissioner was accompanied by Principal Refugee Officer-Registration, Mrs. Makasa Mwenya Fundafunda, Principal Refugee Officer-Legal, Mr. Edward Simfukwe and Senior Programmes Officer, Mr. Jim Chibuye.

GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION ON REFUGEE AND MIGRATION MANAGEMENT

As part of ongoing stakeholder engagement and efforts to strengthen collaboration, the Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Tovine Kaneneka, today held high-level talks with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zambia Chief of Mission, Ms. Keisha Livermore.
The meeting focused on critical issues affecting refugee management and protection in Zambia. Mr. Kaneneka disclosed that the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, a Department in The Ministry Of Home Affairs and Internal Security, has an influx of unregistered asylum seekers nationwide, notably in North-Western, Southern and Lusaka Provinces, underscoring the urgent need for proper documentation.
The Commissioner emphasised that first-time registration of asylum seekers is no longer conducted at Head Office for those who entered from border points outside Lusaka.
Mr. Kaneneka appealed to IOM to support the Government of Zambia in strengthening refugee management and protection systems.
Both institutions agreed to enhance communication, conduct joint awareness campaigns, and streamline collaboration through the appointment of focal points to effectively address emerging migration and refugee-related issues. Ms.
Livermore reaffirmed IOM’s commitment, pledging continued engagement with the Commissioner to ensure a coordinated and timely flow of information.
The engagement reflects the government’s commitment to partnership, coordination, and protection of persons of concern in Zambia.

The Ministry Of Home Affairs and Internal Security
UNHCR Zambia - ZAMCO
IOM - UN Migration
United Nations in Zambia