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, integrating refugees and hosts in a development-orientated program, was established in the early phases. This avoided the "parallel" structures of orthodox 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 winding down. The lessons learned are discussed. © 1995.

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programme evaluation relief operations Mozambican refugees refugee assistance Malawi