Food assistance for asylum seekers and refugees in protracted situations

the case of the Maratane Center/Mozambique (2001-2021)

Abstract

Mozambique has been receiving and assisting asylum seekers at the Maratane centre since 2001. Soon after its creation, the Centre began receiving approximately 200 asylum seekers every three months, hoping for shelter and the minimum necessities for their survival. Of these, very few are resettled and even fewer are repatriated. The majority of the refugees remain at the Centre for many years as asylum seekers and depend on various forms of support, particularly food assistance. Based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews, this article analyses to what extent the food assistance provided to asylum seekers and refugees in Maratane/Mozambique reflects the expectations and needs of asylum seekers and refugees over time. Specifically, we sought to identify the type of food assistance provided in the early years, changes observed over time and their implications. The data reveal that food assistance provided to asylum seekers and refugees in protracted situations has fallen short of both expectations and basic needs. Over the years, assistance has deteriorated, creating adverse situations in the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in Maratane/Mozambique.