Global Needs Assessment

Long one of the world's top refugee-sheltering countries, Tanzania has been hosting refugees fleeing the convulsions of violent conflict in the Great Lakes region over the last 50 years. Camp refugee numbers topped 700,000 as recently as the year 2000. Today, thanks to active voluntary repatriation programmes, those numbers have fallen dramatically. At the start of 2007, UNHCR was running 11 refugee camps; today just four remain - in the Kigoma region in the northwest of the country. In addition, some 218,000 refugees who fled from Burundi in 1972 live in three so-called 'old settlements' and there is also one settlement where Somali refugees live.

After decades of caring for Burundians, Congolese, Rwandans and refugees from other countries, UNHCR has recently made an important transition in its Tanzanian operation to finding long-lasting solutions for the refugees. So far in 2008, more than 90,000 refugees have found durable solutions, mainly through voluntary repatriation to Burundi and the DRC, but also through resettlement and naturalization. The naturalization process in the 'old settlements' is in full swing with 122,000 refugees applying to become citizens since the exercise was launched by the High Commissioner in March 2008.

Country Operations Profile

Working environment

The context

Durable solutions have been found for thousands of refugees in the United Republic of Tanzania over the past few years. The refugees have benefited from improvements in conditions in their countries of origin as well as the willingness of Tanzania and other countries to assist in the search for solutions.

As of August 2008, Tanzania was host to some 147,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees in camps in the north-west of the country. Another 209,000 Burundian refugees who fled their country in 1972 live in the so-called Old Settlements in western Tanzania. This total of 360,000 refugees is considerably lower than the 482,000 a year earlier; the same period also saw a reduction in the number of refugee camps, from 11 to four. Due to intensified durable solution activities such as voluntary repatriation, resettlement and naturalization, it is expected that the number of refugees will be reduced further to some 290,000 by the end of 2008.

In late 2007, the Government of Tanzania agreed to a package of comprehensive durable solutions for Burundian refugees in the Old Settlements. The package included expedited naturalization for more than 170,000 who wished to remain in Tanzania, and voluntary repatriation for those who opted to return to Burundi.

In 2008, UNHCR launched a two-year project to support this unprecedented initiative of the Tanzanian Government. A coordinated programme under the UN's Delivering as One initiative was also begun to address the needs of refugee hosting communities, following the closure of camps and withdrawal of humanitarian agencies.

The needs

The refugees in the camps in north-western Tanzania remain dependent on humanitarian assistance for meeting their basic needs. As voluntary repatriation progresses, those refugees who are unable or unwilling to return due to specific protection needs will require special consideration in the search for durable solutions. Tanzania also needs help to cope with migrants arriving by land and sea, mainly from the Horn of Africa, some of whom may have protection needs.

Main objectives

Annual programme

• Find durable solutions for most refugees in camps and settlements.

• Ensure protection and assistance to refugees in camps meets humanitarian standards, with special attention paid to people at risk of stigmatization, abuse and exploitation.

• Provide refugee hosting communities with development assistance to meet their needs following the withdrawal of humanitarian aid.

• Maintain a positive protection environment and ensure access to asylum for those in need of it within mixed migratory flows.

• Ensure that protocols and other instruments, being developed by the East African Community, on population movement, human rights and regional security, improve protection and the search for solutions for refugees.

Supplementary programme

• Repatriate in safety and dignity those Burundian refugees from the Old Settlements who wish to return home and support the naturalization of those choosing to remain in Tanzania.

• Support the social and economic integration of refugees naturalized in Tanzania and mitigate the environmental impact of refugees in the Old Settlements.

Key targets

Annual programme

• Some 80,000 refugees (40,000 Burundians and 40,000 Congolese) repatriate voluntarily in safety and dignity; some 2,500 Burundian and Congolese refugees are referred for resettlement.

• Refugee status determination (RSD) processes are fair and efficient; the new Refugee Act is passed; and a refugee advocacy network within civil society is active.

• The crude mortality rate is kept at less than 0.5/1,000/month, and malaria morbidity and mortality rates are reduced.

• School enrolment rates among all children, including those living with disabilities, increase; multi-sectoral coordination on child protection, youth development, and the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence, is strengthened.

• The Delivering as One initiative supports the development needs of refugee hosting communities.

• People in need of protection, including those travelling within mixed migratory flows, have access to asylum and are not subject to refoulement.

• A protection- and solutions-sensitive Protocol on Movement of Persons in East Africa is produced.

Supplementary programme

• The organized voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees from the Old Settlements and issuance of citizenship certificates for those who have opted for naturalization is completed.

• Naturalized refugees are engaged in economic activity and have access to basic services.

• Development resources are available for naturalized refugees and their host communities and the natural environment of closed settlements is rehabilitated.

Strategy and activities

UNHCR's Tanzania operations in 2009 will focus on achieving durable solutions for refugees in camps and settlements. The main solutions will continue to be voluntary repatriation and resettlement for refugees in camps and repatriation and naturalization for Burundian refugees in the Old Settlements.

Some refugees in the camps will not return home for fear of persecution. Others may have medical problems or other specific needs that cannot be addressed adequately in their country. UNHCR will conduct a thorough assessment of the refugee population to identify suitable solutions and implement them by means of targeted assistance for voluntary repatriation or resettlement. It will also lobby with the Government for providing naturalization and residence possibilities for all refugees.

The Office will ensure that resettlement activities do not undermine the momentum of voluntary repatriation, which remains the best durable solution for the vast majority of refugees.

Participatory assessments in camps and in the settlements show that refugees' perceptions of conditions at home are often distorted. UNHCR will organize the visits of refugees to their places of origin and provide them with information that will help them make decisions on return, such as the availability of land, schools and health care.

UNHCR will support the authorities involved in the naturalization process and identify and address bottlenecks. By the end of 2008, the review of naturalization applications should be in its final stages and decisions should be taken on whether some naturalized refugees can remain in parts of the settlements or must be relocated.

It is expected that all refugees who qualify for naturalization will receive documentation in 2009. To aid the socio-economic integration of naturalized refugees, UNHCR will support food production and other income-generating activities. It will also help the refugees to avail themselves of health, education and other services in relocation areas.

In the health sector, UNHCR will focus on the reduction of illness and death from malaria and controlling the spread of HIV through voluntary counselling, testing and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. UNHCR will also ensure that refugees living with HIV have access to antiretroviral drugs.

The Office will implement comprehensive programmes for children and youth, paying particular attention to unaccompanied minors, separated children and children with disabilities, with a view to preventing abuse and strengthening access to education. UNHCR's programme to address sexual and gender-based violence will be adjusted to prevent children from being affected by it or engaging in it. The Office will implement recommendations stemming from an assessment of the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence among refugees and asylum-seekers.

UNHCR will support local authorities in rehabilitating the environment around closed camps and developing their infrastructure for the benefit of local communities. It will train Tanzanian officials and strengthen their RSD capacity to ensure sound decision-making.

In 2009, UNHCR will give assistance to the Government to improve its capacity to protect refugees and asylum seekers in mixed migration flows. The Office will lobby for adoption of the draft Refugee Act which is pending submission to Parliament, and create an advocacy network in Tanzanian civil society to promote protection and increase respect for refugee rights. The Office will also provide technical support to the Secretariat of the East African Community as it develops its Protocol on Movement of Persons and other instruments to ensure that they safeguard access to protection and durable solutions.

Constraints

Poor socio-economic conditions in areas of return and land scarcity, particularly for refugees from the Old Settlements who fled Burundi in 1972, are hampering voluntary repatriation. New tensions and a reduction in security in countries of origin could further slow repatriation and lead to fresh refugee inflows which could strain Tanzania's asylum policy.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR works closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and regional and district authorities. It also enjoys the support of local and international NGOs and UN agencies in assisting refugees and refugee hosting communities. Regular meetings are held with all stakeholders to review achievements and challenges, as well as to refine strategies and activities.

Financial information

From 2005 to 2007, Tanzania's budget remained stable as the decrease in care and maintenance activities were offset by an increase in durable solutions operations, particularly voluntary repatriation. Despite the decrease in the number of refugees and camps, UNHCR's operating budget in Tanzania increased in 2008 and 2009 due to the launch of the supplementary programme for the return, naturalization and local integration of old settlement refugees.