Site Assessment

As per March 2023 population count findings, the Bentiu Town Sites (A, B, C, D, and E) population stands at 71,424 individuals / 9,976 households (on average 7 individuals per households). This represents a twelve per cent decrease (8,402 individuals/887 households) compared to January 2023.

As per March 2023 population count findings, the Bentiu IDP camp population stands at 102,436 individuals (17,440 households) in 12,038 inhabited shelters (on average of 6 individuals per shelter). This represents a two per cent increase compared to January 2023.

This report details the site profiles as determined by Multi-Sectoral Location Assessments (MSLA). A summary overview can be accessed here.

Cyclone Freddy made landfall in Malawi’s Southern Region on 12 March 2023, bringing torrential rainfall, and causing devasting floods and mudslides in Southern Malawi. Assessments are still ongoing, led by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) but critical infrastructure (roads, houses and hospitals) have been damaged or destroyed. As of 20 March 2023, DoDMA estimates over 508,000 people have been displaced across Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, Mulanje, Blantyre, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Blantyre City, Mangochi, Machinga and Balaka districts. An estimated 534 evacuation centers/Internally Displaced People (IDP) sites have been established with over 70 per cent of the IDPs being hosted in public buildings such as schools and churches. The Government of Malawi (GoM) announced a state of disaster in 14 districts on 13 March in response to the floods and landslides, and rescue teams were deployed to the affected areas to provide humanitarian assistance to those most affected. IOM deployed teams on 3 April to conduct a Multi-Sectoral Location Assessment (MSLA) at camp/collective sites level to assist the Government and partners with their response efforts. The first update of the report covers the 168 sites assessed from 31 March - 27 April and provides a snapshot of the current number of displaced households and persons residing in the worst affected three districts (Nsanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre). The assessments also provide an overview of the types of IDP sites, NFI needs, intentions, services provided and other key information.

Ce tableau de bord présente les résultats d'évaluations menées entre le 29 Novembre 2022 – 9 Janvier 2023 dans 245 lieux de déplacement. Une légère augmentation du nombre des personnes déplacées, a été observé durant ce round 19 par rapport au round précédent (+6%). Ceci s’explique principalement par les déplacements dus aux inondations et à l'insécurité durant cette période. C’est à noter que ces évaluations prennent en compte les chiffres issus des enregistrements biométriques menés par l’Institut national des statistiques et des études économiques et démographiques (INSEED), la Commission Nationale d’Accueil de Réinsertion des Réfugiés et des Rapatriées (CNARR), le Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) et l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM), dans 11 localités en décembre 2022 et janvier 2023, qui a contribué à une baisse de 5 pour cent dans la sous-préfecture de Baga-Sola. Comme pour le round précédent de collecte de données, le round 19 a été réalisé en partenariat avec la CNARR et l’association pour l’Action Humanitaire et le Développement Durable (ACHDR), en appliquant une méthodologie de vérification ainsi que le renforcement de l'observation physique et de la sensibilisation des informateurs clés et les autorités administratifs pour éviter les doubles comptages ou la surestimation des informateurs clés.

Returnees comparison at the location in A0. Change in the number of returnees compared to Round 43.

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) provides support to the Government and humanitarian partners by establishing a comprehensive system that collects, analyses and disseminates data on IDPs and returnees to ensure timely and effective assistance to the affected populations. Data collection takes place at a granular level and is repeated at regular intervals to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. 

As of February 2023, the DTM identified a total of 2,388,703 IDPs in 488,163 households and 2,110,039 returnees in 346,166 households. The IDP population included IDPs in camps and camp-like settings (834,836 individuals or 35%) and IDPs residing in host communities (1,553,867 individuals or 65%). The returnee population included IDP returnees (1,887,995 individuals or 89%) and returnees from abroad (222,044 individuals or 11%).