INCORPORATION AND EXCLUSION - THE LIFE-CYCLE OF MALAWI REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The dynamics of institutional relationships in assistance provision to 1.2 million Mozambican refugees in Malawi are examined. Three phases are identified. An innovative model of assistance delivery, integratin g refugees and hosts in a development-orientated program, was establis hed in the early phases. This avoided the ''parallel'' structures of o rthodox relief operations. Within the context of its political economy , the Government of Malawi successfully mediated competing interests. Incrementally, the host government lost autonomy; this is explained in terms of pressures to internationalize and diversify the program and the adoption of a conventional relief model focusing only on refugees and emergency assistance. With extensive repatriation the program is w inding down. The lessons learned are discussed.