UNHCR Bulletin
Tanzania
Number 06
Mission with Donors and UN Representatives
On 29 February and 1 March, UNHCR
organized a familiarization mission
with some donors and UN representatives to the refugee operations in the
country.
The mission was represented by the
Ambassadors from Finland, H.E. Ms.
Sinikka Antila, Japan, H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada, and Norway, H.E. Ms.
Ingunn Klepsvik and representatives
from the French Embassy, Alexis Maclet and the US Embassy, Logan
Wheeler.
Alberic Kacou, the UN Resident Coordinator, Philippe Poinsot, the UNDP
Country Director and Charles Nzuki,
Assistant Director of the Refugee Department from the Ministry of Home
Affairs also joined the mission that
was led by the UNHCR Representative
Oluseyi Bajulaiye and Jerome Seregni,
the Assoc. External Relations Officer.
To be continued on page 2
All mission members ready to depart with the UN flight from
Mwanza to Katumba settlement in Mpanda district, Rukwa region. The delegation also visited the Nyarugusu Congolese refugee camp in Kasulu district and the Transit Centre facilities in
Kigoma before returning back to Dar es Salaam.
During their two days mission, the delegation also met with some
governmental authorities to receive direct information about the
refugee operations in the country. (Photo: UNHCR, J. Seregni)
BRIDGING THE LINES - ART PROJECT
With the beginning of 2012, UNHCR Tanzania
has embarked on a new partnership with the
Ujamaa Art Gallery. Under the theme
“Bridging the Lines. Art by Refugee and
Tanzanian Children” a project concept was
created that focused on working with primary
and secondary school students both from the
Nyarugusu camp for Congolese refugees as well
as from the adjacent host communities.
The children – 140 students in total - had a
chance to exploit their talents during a three
days workshop in the Nyarugusu camp during
which they were enabled by professional artists
Haji Chilonga, Thobias Minzi, Obadiah Mbise
and Soline de Laveleye from Tanzania and
Belgium to learn, practice and produce art and
to showcase their work at Ujamaa Art Gallery
in Dar es Salaam. They were encouraged to
express whatever they feel connects them to
To be continued on page 6 and 7
Renown Tanzanian artist Haji Chilonga teaches Congolese refugee children and Tanzanian students how to paint
with acrylic colours and how to create light and shadow
on paper. Most of the children had never been able to draw
with colours before and were therefore very excited to experiment and mix the different shades. (Photo: UNHCR,
S. Starke).
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UNHCR Bulletin
Tanzania
Mission with Donors and UN Representatives
The delegation visited the Katuma settlement in Rukwa region.
After being welcomed by the District authorities and by the Head
of UNHCR Mpanda office, Mulusew Mamo, mission members
had the chance to meet and discuss with the Newly Naturalized
Tanzanians (NNTs) about their
living conditions and their feelings concerning their naturalization.
The international community and
UNHCR are awaiting the way
forward from the Government of
Tanzania after the decision of
granting the NNTs naturalization
status as part of a comprehensive
durable solutions strategy.
The NNTs, that fled Burundi and
arrived in Tanzania in 1972, mentioned their anxiety about their
future to the delegation. They
stated, among other topics, that
they are still waiting to receive
the citizenship certificates.
The delegation proceeded to visit
the Nyarugusu camp in Kasulu
district where some 62,000 Congolese refugees reside. After being
received by the District Commissioner (DC) the members visited
the health and educational facilities within the camp. They had a
chance to meet with refugees and
discuss about their daily lives in
the camp. Some refugees claimed
that the DRC is not safe due to
the disputed recent presidential
elections and thus they prefer to
remain in Tanzania at present.
From right to left, the UN Resident Coordinator, the Political Officer from the
US Embassy, the Ambassador of Japan, the UNHCR Representative and a
UNHCR Mpanda staff, discussing with one NNT in Katumba settlement.
(Photo: UNHCR, J. Seregni)
From right to left, the Norwegian Ambassador and the UNHCR Head of
Mpanda office talking to the former refugees. (Photo: UNHCR, J. Seregni)
At the end of the visit, the DC
appreciated the close collaboration
between the UNHCR, the One UN
Joint Programme and the government.
The UN Resident Coordinator
explained to the authorities the
United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) that is
being implemented under the lead From right to left, the Attaché of the French Embassy, the UNDP Country Director and the Ambassador of Finland, discussing with some NNTs on their
of the Prime Minister’s office.
living conditions in Katumba settlement. (Photo: UNHCR, J. Seregni)
UNHCR Bulletin
Tanzania
Page 3
Meeting with Editors
Every year meets with some media editors with the purpose of building and strengthening
relationship with various media houses in the country.
The UNHCR Representative, Oluseyi Bajulaiye met with journalists from twenty five media
houses at the Serena Hotel in Dar es salaam on the 26th of January.
On his remarks, Mr. Bajulaiye explained the situation of the refugees in the country, namely
the decision agreed by the Tripartite Commission to close the Mtabila camp for Burundian
refugees by December 2012, and the current situation of the Newly Naturalised Tanzanians
living in three settlements in Tabora and Rukwa regions.
He also mentioned that UNHCR is working closely with the Government of Tanzania to work
on the forthcoming return of some Tanzanian refugees who left the country between 200 and
2001 and are now living in Somalia.
Mr. Bajulaiye also praised the media for their continued interest in refugee issues and for
their good work of informing Tanzanians about refugees present in Tanzania.
Film Mission to Chogo Settlement
From 20 to 23 February, a mission was organized by UNHCR
Nairobi and Dar es Salaam to
film some Somali Bantu residing
in the Chogo settlement in Tanga region.
The aim of the mission was to
record the successful life of some
of the women living in the settlement who contributed to the development of their and the Tanzanian communities.
The films are being broadcasted
on the UNHCR global website
on the 8th of March, as part of
the International Women’s Day
commemorative initiatives.
UNHCR team
filming Somali
Bantu women
d an c i n g
in
Chogo (Photo:
UNHCR,
J.
Seregni)
The Government of Tanzania decided to grant citizenship to
the Somali Bantu after their arrival in Tanzania mainly because they originate from the costal area of Tanga, where their
ancestors, the Zigua tribe, were enslaved almost two centuries
Women were selected with the ago.
support of the Ministry of Home Since 2005 Chogo’s 3000 inhabitants - new citizens and refuAffairs personnel working in gees awaiting naturalization alike - have been self-sufficient
Chogo, and with the help of while the local authorities took over the responsibility from
some Somali Bantu. Some of the UNHCR in providing public services such as education, health
women are naturalized as Tan- and water.
zanians while others are still
awaiting to be naturalized.
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Tanzania
Tripartite Commission Agrees on the closure of Mtabila refugee
camp for Burundian refugees in Tanzania by 31 December 2012
22 February 2012- The 16 th Tripartite Commission Meeting between the Governments of Burundi, and Tanzania,
together with UNHCR met in Bujumbura from 20-22 February to discuss lasting solutions for the remaining 38,000
refugees in Mtabila camp who have been living in Kigoma region since 1993.
The Tripartite Commission noted that the in depth interview exercise to determine those is in continued need for international protection in the Mtabila camp successfully completed on 15 December 2011.
The interviews resulted in finding 2,045 individuals still in need of international protection, 33,708 not in need of
international protection and 2,625 cases pending determination to be further reviewed and finalised before the closure of Mtabila camp on 31 December 2012.
The Tripartite decided that those in continued need of international protection will remain in Mtabila camp where
they will be accommodated in a separate zone and suitable durable solutions will be identified for them, while in line
with international protection standards, persons found not in need of international protection will be given an opportunity to appeal or directly apply for voluntary repatriation.
The Tripartite also agreed that the persons found not to be in need of international protection and who are unwilling
to return to Burundi without justifiable grounds will find themselves liable to be dealt with under the relevant Tanzanian laws, including those for immigration control and management.
In his closing remarks, the Minister of Home Affairs Honourable Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodya appealed to the international community and development partners to support the Government of Burundi's efforts in the return and reintegration programme while emphasizing the definitive closure of Mtabila camp by 31 December 2012.
“It is time now for refugees to return home. I believe very strongly that the Burundian authorities share the same
sentiment of the Tanzanian authorities - said Honourable Ms. Clotilde Niragira, Minister of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender in Burundi, while adding that “it is time for our country men and women to come home to
join their fellow citizens in nation building”.
UNHCR strongly supports the request of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania as the key to sustainable returns to Burundi is linked to the smooth and effective reception and reintegration of all returnees.
To actively promote repatriation UNHCR and its partners, supported by the international community, are providing
a comprehensive package of assistance to all Burundian refugees opting to return to their home country.
The package includes a cash grant, food and non-food items for their reintegration. The returnees are also benefiting
from additional educational and free health services being provided for them on return.
The participants at the Tripartite meeting also included other governmental authorities from Burundi, Tanzania and
UNHCR, and representatives of several international diplomatic missions to Burundi.
Standing fro m left
is
UNHCR Tanzania Representative, Oluseyi Bajulaiye,
UNHCR Burundi Representative, Clem entine Awu
Nkweta - Salami, the Minister of National Solidarity,
Human Rights and Gender
in Burundi Hon. Me Clotilde
and the Minister for Home
Affairs in Tanzania Hon.
Mr. Shamsi Vuai Nahodha
during the 16th Tripartite
Meeting in Burundi (Photo:
UNHCR, B. Ntwari)
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UN HC R Bulletin
Tanzania
Cultural Orientation in Kigoma
From 6 to 24 February, a USA mission
team coming from Nairobi provided cultural orientation to some 600 refugees
attending at the IRC-UNHCR Transit
Centre (NMC) in Kigoma.
The mission (CWS/RSC) conducted the
training with the facilitation and support of the UNHCR and IOM offices in
Kigoma.
Refugees attending the cultural orientation at NMC transit centre listening carefully of their to-be
new locations in the USA (Photo: UNHCR, J. Ikongo)
Law Enforcers Trained on Refugee International Protection
From 24th-25 th January, UNHCR office in Mpanda
organized a two day training session with law enforce rs that aimed at providing them with a better
understanding of the international framework fo r
the protection of displaced persons including asylum
seekers, refugees and how to identify the later from
other migrants, in particular the role and responsibilities of the stakeholders in the protection architecture. Another objective was linked to demonstrating
the importance of close coordination between
UNHCR, government authorities, and other humanitarian agencies in responding to practical protectio n
challenges including prevention and response to Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) incidents at different levels while familiarizing participants with
the international legal and ethical standards and
principles which help to provide protection to refugees and other people of concern to UNHCR.
(CEDAW); The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT), and Convention on the Rights of
the Child (CRC).
During the sessions, participants were asked to
identify vulnerable groups with specific needs. Participants focused on women who are forced to cross
international borders or forcibly made to become Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to wars, civil
strife and associated scourges of famine and impoverishment. In addition to suffering from the usual
traumatizing effects that all displaced persons endure, women and children are vulne rable to special
risks and problems that are often exacerbated by the
hostility of the environment of a foreign context.
Displaced women are especially prone to sexual and
physical abuse, exploitation and manipulation of all
During the presentation on international refugee kinds in the delivery of goods and services. Additionlaw, participants were explained on how the issue of ally, the multiplicity of roles that displaced women
refugees has continuously gained attention in inter- play remains invisible and unrecognized.
national affairs and therefore the reason why it
should always be exercised in full respect of funda- At the end of the training participants understood
mental human rights that are guaranteed under dif- the link between international protection vis as vis
ferent instruments such as, inter alia, Universal national protection, different terminologies used by
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International UNHCR to define people of concern and roles of each
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), In- actor in protecting people of concern to UNHCR and
ternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cul- promised to give quality services to the re fugees and
tural Rights (ICESCR), International Convention on the Newly Naturalized Tanzanians and observe funthe Elimination of the Racial Discrimination damental human rights when executing their duties.
(ICERD), Inte rnational Convention o n the Elim ination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
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UN HC R Bulletin
Tanzania
BRIDGING THE LINES - ART WORKSHOP AND EXHIBITION
the world. Shaking hands, hugging couples, village scenes,
flowers, animals, airplanes – the topics of the artworks are
manifold and various artistic techniques have been used
including acrylic, pastels, watercolours and collage. While
many kids drew what they see around them, some have also
looked back into the past. Soldiers and guns appeared on
paper, scenes of the civil war in the Congo.
The children opened their hearts, lives and dreams on
canvas and demonstrated that art has the power to connect
people. The project provided the opportunity for Congolese
refugee and Tanzanian children to interact and learn from
one another, so as to replace possible misconceptions that
may exist between the two communities with greater
understanding.
The initiative is the first of its kind to be carried out by
UNHCR in the Nyarugusu Camp which was opened in UNHCR Representative Oluseyi Bajulaiye and Ujamaa
1996. The camp currently hosts about 61,800 Congolese Art Gallery Director Lorna Mashiba welcome the Guest of
Honour Hon. Dr. Fenella Mukangara, Deputy Minister for
Information, Youth, Culture and Sports at the exhibition
opening. (Photo: UNHCR, J. Seregni)
occasion extended his profound gratitude to the students for sharing their hopes dreams and aspirations,
and to their parents and teachers for supporting their
artistic endeavours. He added: “The generous talents of
the children have left the profound impression that
their gifts deserve to be cultivated further. Therefore,
all funds generated from the sale of the artworks, colouring books and post cards will go towards the procurement of art equipment and educational material
for schools in the Nyarugusu refugee camp and the
neighbouring host communities. “
There is also the hope that this project is a “seed project”, meaning that if sufficient support and further
Congolese and Tanzanian students working on their art
additional funding can be generated, other artistic propieces. (Photo: UNHCR, S. Starke)
jects in the areas of for example music, literature or
dance could be organized for the refugee and host comrefugees, mostly from the South Kivu region in the DRC munities in the future.
where the security situation is still volatile, making it
difficult for the majority of the population to return.
The results of the workshop were gathered and two
publications – a colouring book and postcards – were
created. On 15 February the colourful exhibition opened at
Ujamaa Art Gallery in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, where
the artworks and the publications are currently on display
and on sale. In his opening speech Guest of Honour Dr.
Fenella Mukangara, Deputy Minister for Information,
Youth, Culture and Sports noted: “I am, as i hope you are,
impressed by the artistic products of refugee children and
their Tanzanian friends in Nyarugusu Camp, Kasulu
district. It shows the depth of hidden talent of the children
and young people that should be nurtured and uncovered.
There is indeed a profound connection between people of all
Artist Soline de Laveleye, UNHCR Deputy Representative
walks of life, young and old, that only art can reveal.“
UNHCR Representative Oluseyi Bajulaiye at the same
Chansa Kapaya and Ujamaa Art Director Lorna Mashiba
at the “Bridging the Lines” Press Conference on 9 February. (Photo: UNHCR, A. Makani)
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PAINTINGS BY REFUGEE AND TANZANIAN CHILDREN
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UN HC R Bulletin
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EXCITEMENT AS STUDENTS USE NEW CLASSROOMS IN
ULYANKULU SECONDARY SCHOOL
From November 2010 to June 2011, UNHCR in
collaboration with the Government of Tanzanian supported
the construction of nine classrooms, two blocks of pit
latrines and three water harvesting tanks at Ulyankulu
Secondary school. The Japanese Government provided
funds for the construction project. The support came at a
time when the school was facing shortage of classrooms as
well as congestion due to increased enrolment of students
from the settlement. Currently Ulyankulu Secondary
School is the only active secondary school in the settlement.
In December 2011, a team led by the Urambo District
Executive Director, District Education Officer, MHA
Settlement Commandant and UNHCR inspected the
completed structures and
requested the
school
management to take care of them until they are officially
Anna is one of the students enjoying the new classrooms
provided by UNHCR with support from the Japanese
Government. (Photo: UNHCR, M. Kajoro)
In the academic year 2012, Ulyankulu Secondary
School has enrolled 604 new students which has put a
lot of pressure on the existing furniture. The current
situation is not conducive for the study environment
says one teacher pointing at a crowded form four class.
UNHCR and Urambo District Officials in one of the completed
classrooms. (Photo: UNHCR, M. Kajoro)
UNHCR is well aware of the situation and has already
earmarked funds for supporting the school with additional equipment. Further, there is the need for additional classrooms and a boy’s dormitory at the school in
order to accommodate the increasing number of students in the settlement. UNHCR is collaborating with
the Government to ensure that the education needs of
pupils and students in the settlement are improved.
inaugurated. With an increasing number of students in the
school, the new classrooms have helped in containing and
allowing more students to join this academic year.
“A new year with new classrooms” says Anna, a form four
student privileged to be in one of the new classrooms. Anna
like most of her classmates is a Newly Naturalized
Tanzanian at Ulyankulu Secondary school. She is very
happy of having a new class with less congestion compared
to what they were used to in lower levels. In addition, the
water harvesting tanks and the additional toilets have
made life easy at school. She is very grateful to UNHCR
and the Tanzanian and Japanese Government for
considering her school.
Anna noted the challenge of inadequate furniture because
the new classes do not have sufficient furniture and the
existing tables and benches are getting old. She hopes that The water harvesting tanks at school are inspected by
once additional furniture is in place, the situation in UNHCR officials and partners. (Photo: UNHCR,
classrooms will improve hence leading to higher M. Kajoro)
performance.
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UNHC
HCR
R Bulletin
Bulletin
UN
Tanzania
Tanzania
Events in Pictures
UNHCR Representative Mr. Bajulaiye (left) on a courtesy
visit to Mr. E. Lowassa (MP), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of the TZ national
Assembly. (Photo: UNHCR, A. Makani)
UNHCR staff on a Live-Link documentation management training conducted in Dar es Salaam. (Photo:
UNHCR, A. Makani)
Some donors visiting one of the medical centres in the
Nyarugusu Congolese refugee camp. (Photo: UNHCR,
V. Gule)
UNHCR Intern Laura McCreedy with UAG counterpart
Eula Dillon selling colouring books and postcards during the Bridging the Lines exhibition opening. (Photo:
UNHCR, J. Seregni)
American Medical
students on a clinical
rotation supporting
the Tanzanian Red
Cross Society health
centres in the Nyarugusu Congolese refugee camp. (Photo:
UNHCR-TCRS)
UNHCR Representation Office in Tanzan ia
Plot nr. 1658 Masaki
(Off Chole Road, next to Val halla village)
P.O.Box 2666 - Dar es Sal aam, T anz ania
Phone: +255 22 2602708-10
Fax: +255 22 2602757/ 8
Email: [email protected]
External Relations Unit
Associate External R elations Officer - Jerome Ser egni
Email: [email protected]
Public Informati on Associate - Austin Makani
Email: makani@ unhcr.org