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- Also available in French
GNA United Republic of Tanzania: Q&A with UNHCR Representative Yacoub El Hillo
Global Needs Assessment, 9 October 2008
What's the situation of people forcibly displaced in Tanzania?
For decades, Tanzania has hosted one of the largest refugee populations on the African continent. This is now rapidly decreasing thanks to our strong focus on finding durable solutions for the refugees, mainly through voluntary repatriation. Approximately 137,000 refugees currently remain in the country, having fled neighbouring DRC and Burundi in the 1990s. They are protected and assisted by the Tanzanian government, UNHCR and its partners. While the refugee operation is scaling down, mixed migration flows into and through the country are on the increase. Among the arrivals, there are persons with protection concerns.
How do you feel when you are confronted with needs that are not being met?
In recent years, the government of Tanzania has taken initiatives to respond to the phenomenon of increased irregular migration. They sought to identify refugees and asylum seekers and to ensure that these are not denied access to asylum or subjected to refoulement. However, in attempt to do so, the government has encountered a number of challenges, including limited familiarity of border officials with asylum and refugee law. Therefore, UNHCR needs to further support the government to ensure that asylum seekers arriving in mixed migration flows are identified and channelled to asylum procedures. New frameworks also need to be developed at the regional level, where UNHCR support is necessary through enhanced cooperation with the East African Community (EAC).
As for the remaining camp refugees, UNHCR has to assure continued protection and rights-based assistance, in particular for the vulnerable people among them. We need to find a solution for each camp refugee, mainly through assuring a safe and dignified return for those opting to go home.
What are the negative consequences of these needs not being met?
Asylum seekers in Tanzania currently run the risk of being dealt with under the Immigration Act, which does not ensure their rights and might impose strict penalties of detention and deportation for illegal entry.
As for the refugees in the camps, if we fail to meet their protection needs, their perspective for a durable solution might be compromised, including their right to a voluntary return to their home country in safety and dignity.
What do the refugees have to say about their situation?
They are thankful to Tanzania and UNHCR for hosting and assisting them for such a long time. Many of them would like to return to their home countries, but are afraid of the challenges that await them. They count on UNHCR to help them return in a safe and dignified manner and restart life back home.
How have UNHCR's partners and the government in Tanzania reacted to the Global Needs Assessment?
The Global Needs Assessment in Tanzania was the result of a series of meetings and evaluations in the context of our Country Operations Plan. All stakeholders were keen to use resources where the need is greatest. Government, donor representatives, UN sister agencies, implementing and operational partners, and most importantly the refugees themselves contributed to the GNA outcomes.
Do you think the extra funding from the GNA, if it comes, will make a significant difference, and in what way?
With extra funding, UNHCR Tanzania together with the Tanzanian government could improve access to asylum in the current context of mixed migration. At the institutional level, we could increase knowledge and understanding of refugee protection principles through appropriate training. At the legal level, we could assist with developing national and regional migration policy to provide a legal framework for migrant rights. That's why it is important for us to also strengthen our cooperation with the EAC, which can only be done through GNA funding.
In the refugee camps, we could increase our knowledge of refugees' profiles and specific needs. This would help us improve refugee protection and to strengthen the identification of best durable solutions.
