Attachments
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279,672 Burundian Refugees
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12,000 Burundians in Need of Return Assistance
IOM APPEAL (USD)
(07 September - 31 December 2017)
TOTAL 3.715 M
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The United Republic of Tanzania is hosting 279,672 Burundian refugees, who arrived in the country in several waves since April 2015. Of this refugee population, nearly 80 per cent are women and children (Regional Refugee Response Plan, June 2017). The significant influx of Burundians into Tanzania prompted the Government of Tanzania (GoT) to open additional refugee camps to address overcrowding. In April 2015, all Burundians were granted refugee status by virtue of a prima facie declaration, whilst in January 2017, this decision was revoked for new arrivals, putting a refugee status determination process in place for new arrivals. The result of this was that by June 2017, the arrival rate of Burundian refugees into Tanzania dropped by 98 per cent (In January 2017, 18,498 new arrivals were recorded compared to 377 in June 2017).
On 20 July 2017, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza and Tanzanian President John Magufuli issued a call urging Burundian refugees to voluntarily return, promising to help rebuild the Burundian economy. As of 27 August, 11,600 Burundian refugees from three camps have expressed their intention to voluntarily return home (UNHCR, September 2017).
On 31 August 2017, a Joint Communique from the 19th Tripartite Commission Meeting (the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi, and UNHCR) for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees in Tanzania was signed. The Tripartite Commission has agreed to: (a) implement a work plan covering the period of 7 September - 31 December 2017; (b) undertake, in phases, the voluntary repatriation of 12,000 refugees who have registered for returns; (c) provide exit access from Tanzania, and entry access to Burundi; and (d) appeal to the international community to provide the necessary support for the voluntary repatriation process. To facilitate the process of returns, IOM will be working in cooperation with UNHCR, who will aid in the provision of transportation from Nyarugusu and Mtendeli camps to Nduta. As experts in all aspects related to transportation, including pre-departure medical screening, the disbursement of return kits and transit centre management, IOM has provided transport services to Burundian refugees arriving in Tanzania since May 2015, facilitating transport from border crossing points to refugee camps. As such, IOM has the institutional and operational capacity, expertise and credibility to take the lead in the provision of voluntary repatriation to Burundian refugees that have expressed their intention to return. Furthermore, IOM will implement activities to promote and lay the foundations for sustainable returns and reintegration.
The programme will capitalize on IOM’s Progressive Resolution of Displacement Situations Framework in areas of return which seek to foster social cohesion and promote livelihoods.
There are three refugee camps in Tanzania: Mtendely, Nduta and Nyarugusu—all within the Kigoma region. For this voluntary repatriation process, Nduta camp has been designated as the departure point for all returnees. In Burundi, 10 main provinces of return have been identified: Ruyigi, Muyinga, Makamba, Kirundo, Rutana, Cankuzo, Karuzi, Bujumbura, Rumonge and Ngozi.