ComprehensComprehensive Solutionsive Solutions

The search for durable The search for durable solutions for Burundian solutions for Burundian

refugees in Tanzaniarefugees in Tanzania

Judy Cheng-HopkinsJudy Cheng-HopkinsAssistant High Commissioner for Assistant High Commissioner for

Operations, UNHCROperations, UNHCR

Flight of Burundian refugees in 1972 to neighbouring countries

1972 temporary camps in Taboraand the subsequent consolidation of

camps in the three settlements

Geographical Geographical ContextContext

Burundian Burundian Refugees in Refugees in

Tanzania: the Tanzania: the numbersnumbers1972 Arrivals: 218,0001972 Arrivals: 218,000

• Living in three ‘old settlements’ of Katumba, Mishamo and Ulyankulu in the Rukwa and Tabora regions

• Self-sufficient – pay taxes and have not received aid from UNHCR since 1985

1993-present Arrivals: 1993-present Arrivals: 117,714 117,714

• Hosted in six camps in the north-western regions of Kigoma and Kagera which are managed by UNHCR in close cooperation with Tanzania’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Dependant on humanitarian aid for survival

1.1. Voluntary repatriation Voluntary repatriation to Burundito Burundi

• 21%, 45,500 people• Requires urgent repair of

roads and offices• Assistance with

registration, logistics and security

• UNHCR High Commissioner visited Tanzania in early March and launched the first repatriation by train from the Katumba settlement

2.2. Local integration in Local integration in TanzaniaTanzania

• 79% , 171,600 people• Naturalization fees reduced

from US$ 800 per person to US$ 50 per family

• Govt would like to see completion of naturalization process before the end of 2008

• Refugees leave settlements for various regions of Tanzania

• Closure of settlements at Mishamo and Katumba

• Ulyankulu settlement will either be closed, or its population reduced and structure reconfigured

Movement out of Movement out of SettlementsSettlements

3.3. ResettlementResettlement• In 2006, the US offered In 2006, the US offered

permanent resettlement permanent resettlement to some 13,000 mostly to some 13,000 mostly from the 1972 caseloadfrom the 1972 caseload

• A total of 4,237 A total of 4,237 resettlement applications resettlement applications for 1972 Burundians for 1972 Burundians were eventually were eventually submitted to the USA submitted to the USA during 2006during 2006

Tanzania Tanzania Comprehensive Comprehensive

Solutions strategy Solutions strategy (1993 Refugees)(1993 Refugees)

1.1. Voluntary repatriationVoluntary repatriation• All refugees opting to repatriate will All refugees opting to repatriate will

be registered and assisted by be registered and assisted by UNHCRUNHCR

• Cash grants of 50,000 Burundian Cash grants of 50,000 Burundian Francs (about US$50) per person – Francs (about US$50) per person – has led to exponential returns in the has led to exponential returns in the last half of 2007last half of 2007

• Lack of land is a problem in Lack of land is a problem in Burundi. This seriously undermines Burundi. This seriously undermines UNHCR’s efforts to pursue durable UNHCR’s efforts to pursue durable voluntary repatriationvoluntary repatriation

• Some 45,000 Burundians are Some 45,000 Burundians are expected to repatriate in 2008, and expected to repatriate in 2008, and another 35,000 in 2009another 35,000 in 2009

2.2. ResettlementResettlement• May be available to a small number May be available to a small number

of refugees in special circumstancesof refugees in special circumstances

UNHCR in UNHCR in BurundiBurundi

• Returnees medically screened at Returnees medically screened at reception centresreception centres

• Counselling on issues such as Counselling on issues such as HIV and AIDS and sexual and HIV and AIDS and sexual and gender-based violence gender-based violence

• Local welcome committees to Local welcome committees to help returnees recover their help returnees recover their property and reintegrate into property and reintegrate into their communities. their communities.

• Returnees given an assistance Returnees given an assistance package before being transported package before being transported to their communities of originto their communities of origin

• Housing scheme and construction Housing scheme and construction materials to rebuild homes materials to rebuild homes

• Monitoring of returnees to help Monitoring of returnees to help resolve conflicts, especially over resolve conflicts, especially over landland

Conclusion: Conclusion: Durable SolutionsDurable Solutions

• Comprehensive approach Comprehensive approach • Combining a range of durable Combining a range of durable

solutionssolutions• Potential:Potential:1. to end 35-year protracted refugee 1. to end 35-year protracted refugee

situation and plight of 1990s situation and plight of 1990s arrivalsarrivals

2. local integration - allow for 2. local integration - allow for rehabilitation of refugee hosting rehabilitation of refugee hosting areasareas

3. to promote local integration as a 3. to promote local integration as a successful durable solutionsuccessful durable solution

4. repatriation to Burundi - contribute 4. repatriation to Burundi - contribute to peace building processto peace building process

5. end of refugee crisis in Tanzania - 5. end of refugee crisis in Tanzania - stabilize Great Lakes regionstabilize Great Lakes region

Thank YouThank You

• Questions are welcome…Questions are welcome…