Introduction of ARECOD

ARECOD

Association of Refugees for Community Development

Introduction to ARECOD

ARECOD (Refugee Association for Community Development) is a non-profit, apolitical organization established in the Dzaleka refugee camp, Dowa District, Lilongwe Province, Republic of Malawi. Founded on July 27, 2024, ARECOD was born as a response to the precarious conditions experienced by thousands of refugees of various nationalities living in the camp — including Congolese (DRC), Rwandans, Burundians, Ethiopians and Somalis.

The association was established with the aim of actively engaging the refugee community and the Malawian population in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and prevention, community health promotion, environmental protection, social action and the strengthening of agriculture and livestock.

Based in the Dzaleka camp itself, ARECOD operates on a voluntary basis and seeks to become a local, national and international reference organization in its areas of intervention. Its core values ​​include peace, solidarity, transparency, social inclusion, responsibility, credibility, leadership and love for others.

Since its creation, ARECOD has been developing initiatives in partnership with local and international community and humanitarian organizations, with the commitment to improving the living conditions and physical, mental and social well-being of refugees and the population of Malawi.

ARECOD's mission is:

"To engage the entire refugee community and the Malawian population in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and prevention; community health promotion; disease prevention and control; environmental preservation and protection; social action, agriculture and livestock."

In other words, ARECOD works to mobilize and engage communities in transforming their living conditions through collaborative actions in the areas of peace, health, environment, social inclusion and sustainable development.

ARECOD's vision is:

"To become a local, national and international reference organization in its areas of intervention."

In other words, ARECOD aspires to be recognized as an exemplary and influential entity in the areas in which it operates — especially in peacebuilding, community health, environmental protection, social action, agriculture and livestock — both within the Dzaleka refugee camp and throughout Malawi and beyond its borders.

ARECOD's are:

1. Peace and solidarity;
2. Transparency and impartiality;
3. Social inclusion;
4. Responsibility and credibility;
5. Leadership through excellence;
6. Peace and love

These values ​​guide the association's actions, decisions and relationships, promoting an environment of trust, equity, collaboration and commitment to the well-being of the communities it serves.

The ARECOD has established its main objective as follows:

To contribute to the improvement of human living conditions, aiming for the physical, mental, and social well-being of the refugee population in Dzaleka Camp and the Malawian population at large.

To achieve this purpose, the association has defined the following 18 specific objectives:

1.  Health education on waterborne diseases such as acute diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
2. Awareness-raising on access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
3. Promotion of peace, conflict resolution, and prevention between refugees and local communities.
4. Awareness campaigns against tuberculosis within communities.
5. Promotion of health for obese and diabetic individuals.
6. Prevention of drug abuse, smoking, and alcoholism among youth.
7. Awareness-raising on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in the camp and surrounding areas.
8. Distribution of condoms in public places to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
9. Mobilization of youth for blood donation in hospitals.
10. Protection of children, girls, and women, promoting access to information and sharing of experiences.
11. Promotion of entrepreneurship among youth and women, to combat drugs, prostitution, early and forced marriages, and sex work.
12. Assistance to vulnerable individuals, such as orphans, abandoned women, widows, and victims of climate disasters.
13. Promotion of peace and solidarity between refugees and the Malawian population, with an emphasis on environmental preservation and ecological education, including:  

• Preventing uncontrolled tree cutting.
• Preventing uncontrolled bushfires.
• Protecting wildlife and rivers from pollution.

    14. Awareness and mobilization for agriculture and livestock farming, highlighting their importance.  

    15. Promotion of modern farming practices, to increase productivity.  

    16. Identification and resolution of challenges faced by farmers. 

    17. Identification and resolution of obstacles faced by livestock keepers.  

    18. Rabies vaccination for wild animals bitten by dogs, among other preventive measures.  

ARECOD is committed to taking all necessary measures—legal, organizational, and strategic—to effectively fulfill these objectives.

Founding Members of ARECOD

The founding members of ARECOD, as listed in the official documents, are the individuals who played a key role in establishing the association or participated in the Constituent Assembly.  

Below is the complete list of the 13 founding members, including their full names, gender, and roles as recorded:  

1. Gershoni Heri – Visionary
2. Chibula Ekyoci wa Balenga – Male (M)
3. Asende Waasungile – Female (F)
4. Nahayo Christine – Female (F)
5. Fausita Kamara – Female (F)
6. Liunda Mubembe – Male (M)
7. Salima Useni – Female (F)
8. Kakembe Frederick – Male (M)
9. Masudi Didasi Mumbeke – Male (M)
10. Mphatso Dausi – Female (F)
11. Ngwaba Aisha – Female (F)
12. Charles Khalidwe – Male (M)
13. Salumu Tuhenya – Male (M)  

These members are officially recognized as the founders of ARECOD and hold specific rights and responsibilities as outlined in the association’s statutes.

ARECOD's Operational Framework (as outlined in the "MODUS OPERANDI" chapter) is designed to achieve its strategic objectives through partnerships, organized activities, and efficient management of resources and infrastructure.  

ARECOD operates through the following approaches:  

1. Institutional Partnerships:

• Collaborates with international, regional, national, and local organizations that share similar objectives.  

2. Fundraising:

• Conducts donation campaigns and accepts financial contributions to advance its mission and goals.  

3. Property Management:

• Can purchase, lease, or acquire movable and immovable assets, and modify buildings under its management for institutional use.  

4. Staff Recruitment:

• Can hire full-time or part-time employees as needed to fulfill its mandate.  

5. Event Organization:

• Holds meetings, festivals, training sessions, competitions, webinars, workshops, and exhibitions.  

6. Collaboration with Other Entities:  

• May partner with, support, or receive support from other organizations with aligned objectives.  

7. Publications:

• Can publish books, reports, newspapers, pamphlets, and other materials related to its activities.  

8. Financial Management: 

• Maintains bank accounts in the organization's name and processes necessary payments.  

9. Supplementary Legal Actions:

• Can undertake all necessary legal measures related to the advancement of its objectives.  

This operational structure enables ARECOD to function with autonomy, legality, and effectiveness, driving social impact in the areas of peace, health, environment, agriculture, social action, and community empowerment.