By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has expanded its emergency migration response to Nyamapanda to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to Malawians travelling home through Zimbabwe amid continuing anti-migrant pressure in South Africa.
According to MSF, more than 80,000 Malawians have passed through the Nyamapanda reception centre, highlighting the scale of movement and humanitarian needs along the route.
The international medical humanitarian organisation extended its intervention to the north-eastern Zimbabwe border post after initially responding at Beitbridge, as increasing numbers of Malawians travelled through Zimbabwe and Mozambique on their way home.
At Nyamapanda, MSF has established a temporary reception centre providing overnight shelter, meals, washing facilities and healthcare to migrants, some of whom arrive after spending days travelling.
MSF Emergency Coordinator Hebert Mutubuki said many of those reaching the border were physically exhausted and experiencing considerable psychological strain.
“Many of the people arriving at Nyamapanda are exhausted and under a lot of stress after a long and difficult journey, and some are dealing with emotional trauma,” Mutubuki said.
“We are also seeing people with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as skin conditions. Being here allows us to provide immediate physical and emotional support, care for those who are sick, and help ensure their care continues.”
Mutubuki said access to basic necessities remained a challenge for some migrants.
“Just as importantly, a hot meal, water and a safe place to rest help ensure that people are treated with dignity,” he said.
Nyamapanda, in north-eastern Zimbabwe, connects the country with Mozambique and serves as an important transit point for Malawians travelling home from South Africa.
The movement comes against the backdrop of continuing anti-migrant campaigns in South Africa, where some groups have targeted foreign nationals and called for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Anti-migrant mobilisation has continued, including demonstrations demanding increased deportations and tighter controls on undocumented immigration.
The impact has extended beyond southern Africa, with Nigerians among other African nationals who have returned home from South Africa amid the tensions.
For Malawians travelling through Zimbabwe, reaching Nyamapanda does not necessarily mean their difficulties are over.
“Reaching the border does not necessarily mean reaching their destination,” Mutubuki said.
“Some Malawians travel long distances before arriving at Nyamapanda. When they reach the border post late in the day, they may find the crossing has closed for the night and have to wait until the following day to continue their journey.
“For people who may already have spent days travelling, this can create additional challenges, including finding somewhere safe to sleep, accessing water, sanitation and food.”
The Nyamapanda intervention forms part of a wider MSF response across South Africa and Zimbabwe, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Musina and Beitbridge.
In Gauteng alone, MSF health promoter Azalet Dube and her colleagues have reached more than 4,000 migrants since July, providing health information and support to people affected by displacement.
The expansion to Nyamapanda comes as migrants from several African countries continue leaving South Africa amid persistent anti-migrant tensions, creating humanitarian needs along regional migration routes.
