UNHCR in Tanzania hosts refugees in Kigoma region in Kasulu and Kibondo districts located in the North Western part of Tanzania bordering Burundi to the north and is found 78kms south west from the shores of Lake Tanganyika in the neighbouring Kigoma town. Currently there are three refugee camps namely Nyarugusu (comprising of Old and New Camps) located in Kasulu, Nduta in Kibondo district and Mtendeli in Kakonko district.
The oldest refugee camp is Nyarugusu which has been hosting refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi since 1996. Refugees from Burundi were repatriated voluntarily in 2012 leading to closure of some of the existing camps. The remainder population in need of protection were relocated to Nyarugusu camp where the total population then was about 65,000 as of early April 2015 majority being Congolese refugees and other minority nationalities such as Rwandese, Sudanese, Ugandans, and Kenyans.
The refugee situation changed in 2015 following the political instability after the general elections in Burundi leading exodus of some Burundians to Tanzania and other neighbouring countries. As from late April 2015 higher numbers of refugees from Burundi started arriving in Tanzania mainly through a tiny border village along Lake Tanganyika and other entry points in Kigoma region. After the influx, the total population increased causing congestion in Nyarugusu camp calling for the re-opening two camps; Nduta camp on the 7th October 2015 and Mtendeli camp on 14th January 2016.
Nyarugusu currently hosts Congolese refugees (Old Camp) and 39.4% of the Burundi refugees (New Camp) who arrived at the onset of the emergency. Nduta hosts an estimated population of 123,673 refugees who were relocated from Nyarugusu and Mtendeli hosts 52,004 who were relocated from Nyarugusu and is still receiving the new arrivals. According to UNHCR ProGres data August 2017, the total number of refugees in Kigoma Region is estimated to be 310,735.
A total 4 surveys were conducted from 21st Aug to 18th Sept 2017 covering Nyarugusu Old Camp, Nyarugusu New Camp, Nduta and Mtendeli. UNHCR coordinated the survey in collaboration with WFP, UNICEF, WVI, Tanzania Red-cross Society (TRCS), MSF as well as Ministry of interior and Health of the United Republic of Tanzania. Funding was shared between UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF. UNHCR and WFP were in charge of logistics and daily operations.
