 © UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau |
Tanzania has for decades welcomed thousands of refugees fleeing conflict in neighboring countries of the Great Lakes Region.As well, Tanzania was an early signatory in the region to international agreements on the rights and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers.The Government’s focus has been on finding durable solutions to long-standing refugee situations in the country, namely voluntary repatriation, resettlement to third countries, and legal naturalization and local socio-economic integration for some 178,660 settlement-based Burundian refugees who have resided in Tanzania since 1972.Like many developing countries, Tanzania lacks sufficient resources to meet all humanitarian needs and independently realize sustainable solutions for the refugees it has hosted for almost 40 years. |
News and stories about Tanzania
More refugees flee Burundi ahead of elections - UNHCR
Since early May more than 66,000 refugees have fled their homes in Burundi, over 6,000 of them over the last 3 days.
Cholera containment measures stall death rate in Tanzania refugee camp
The reduction in reported cholera cases is largely due to the concerted approach to contain the spread of the outbreak through intensified measures to promote hygiene.
Cholera epidemic claims 31 lives in Tanzania, including 29 Burundian refugees
The epidemic declared by Tanzania's government has become a new, worrying, and growing additional complication at a time when Burundian refugees are arriving.
Tanzania grants citizenship to 162,000 Burundian refugees in historic decision
GENEVA, October 17, (UNHCR) The UN refugee agency has welcomed Tanzania's decision to grant citizenship to 162,156 former Burundian refugees, marking the largest group in UNHCR's history to which naturalisation...
Vigilant UNHCR staff reunite long-separated mother and daughters in Tanzania
A mother is reunited with the daughters she was forced to abandon in a refugee camp in Tanzania in order to avoid being forced to marry her late husband's relative.
Burundians restart their lives with empty soda bottles, goats in scarves
Former refugees bring back everything they own from Tanzania – old doors, prize bulls, even hamsters for protein.
After 20 years, more than 1,000 Burundians returning home every day
The pace of UNHCR-assisted returns from Tanzania picks up for former refugees, with nearly 30,000 yet to return.
UNHCR alarmed at reports of atrocities against displaced Congolese
The refugee agency calls on all parties to respect the civilian character of sites for the displaced in North Kivu province; urges more security for camps.
UNHCR reaffirms support for integration of 1972 Burundians in Tanzania
UNHCR deputy chief Aleinikoff also praises Tanzania for its unprecedented and generous policy to grant citizenship to tens of thousands of Burundians.
UNHCR welcomes Tanzania's decision to naturalize tens of thousands of Burundian refugees
High Commissioner for Refugee António Guterres lauds Tanzania's decision to grant citizenship to tens of thousands of Burundian refugees who fled to Tanzania in 1972.
Congolese refugee boy wins international peace award for running radio programme
A 16-year-old Congolese refugee, Baruani Ndume, wins the International Children's Peace Prize for producing a radio programme for children.
The repatriation of 400 Burundians closes a chapter in long-running refugee saga
UNHCR begins the repatriation of the final group of long-term Burundian refugees in Tanzania who want to go home, a landmark operation.
Somali Bantus gain Tanzanian citizenship in their ancestral land
History has come full circle for refugee descendants of slaves who have received a fresh start in their ancestral homeland of Tanzania.
The past is a foreign country for some Burundian refugees
Burundian refugees like Ogeste Gelevasi can't imagine living anywhere else than Tanzania, which has offered them almost four decades of sanctuary.
Repatriation of 1972 Burundian refugees from Tanzania enters final phase
A UNHCR convoy carrying almost 500 civilians launches the last phase of the repatriation of thousands of Burundians who fled to Tanzania in 1972.
US report gives UNHCR high marks for Burundi operation
A report commissioned by the United States praises UNHCR's repatriation programme for Burundi while warning that integration challenges remain.
Young Burundians reunite with their families after years of separation
Last year, UNHCR helped some 400 refugee children to either reunite with their families or begin a new life in their native Burundi with foster parents.
Tanzanian and Japanese athletes run for peace with Burundian refugees
Two former top athletes from Japan and Tanzania turned back the clock this week, taking part in a run for peace at the Mtabila camp for Burundian refugees.