PUBLICATIONS
The United Republic of Tanzania was host to 330,755 refugees and asylum-seekers by 31 October 2018, mainly from Burundi (245,9641) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (84,170) from 15 different nationalities (621). A small population of refugees of mixed nationalities (270) are hosted in urban centres, mainly in Dar es Salaam. The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers live in three refugee camps in north western Tanzania: Nyarugusu, Nduta and Mtendeli. There are approximately 19,154 Burundians in the Old Settlements of Ulyankulu, Mishamo and Katumba, who are not part of the RRP population covered by this refugee response plan, and a further 23,047 who are self-settled in Kigoma villages are assisted with protection services. A small population of refugees of mixed nationalities (270) are hosted in urban centres, mainly in Dar es Salaam.
The political context in Tanzania continues to evolve. Since 2017, restrictions on access to territory and asylum have increased. In 2017, prima facie recognition of Burundian asylum seekers was revoked and Burundian asylum seekers arriving in Tanzania had to undergo refugee status determination (RSD). All 19 border entry and reception points for Burundian and Congolese asylum seekers were closed between March 2017 and July 2018 and remain closed. The Government of Tanzania is not formally applying the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) but has strongly supported the consultations leading up to the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and voted favourably for its affirmation at the UN General Assembly in December 2018.
Despite an unpredictable protection environment and constrained resource capacity in different sectoral interventions to stabilise and strengthen existing programmes, RRP partners in Tanzania continue to provide critical protection and humanitarian assistance to persons of concern.
In 2019 - 2020, interventions aimed at implementing durable solutions and improving the livelihoods and resilience of refugees and host communities will be prioritized while also continuing to support and ensure access to asylum and protection for persons of concern. Strengthening the linkages between humanitarian assistance and development planning, particularly in the area of resilience, is another key priority.
Read the Country Refugee Response Plan and see latest updates on UNHCR's operation in the United Republic of Tanzania.
