by Dr. Bonaventure Rutinwa and Dr. Khoti Kamanga, The Centre for the Study of Forced Migration, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
In 2003, the Centre for the Study of Forced Migration at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania conducted a study on the impacts of the presence of refugees in Northwestern Tanzania. LERRN is now sharing this detailed report in its original form to make it accessible to a broader audience and contribute to national and international debates on the impacts for host communities of hosting refugees.
At the time of writing, there were frequent claims by government officials and in the media that the presence of refugees had negative impacts for Tanzania. The Centre for the Study of Forced Migration undertook this study to examine the evidence for and against these claims, considering the impacts on security, environment, infrastructure, social services, local governance, and the economy. They found that while the arrival of refugees initially put strain on infrastructure and social services, over time humanitarian investments in roads, hospitals, education, and water have benefitted the local population. For example, at the time of writing, around 40,000 Tanzanians every year were receiving free medical treatment in the hospitals of the Kibondo refugee camps. The districts where refugees live have also made significant progress on primary education indicators. Overall, it appears the social service sector has benefited more than it has suffered due to the presence of refugees. There have been some negative impacts on security, the environment, and the local government, but investments by UNHCR and other donors have to some extent offset these negative impacts. For example, tree-planting programs have replaced trees that were cut down in connection with refugee operations. The presence of refugees has had a mixed economic impact.
This snapshot in time provides a detailed examination of the multi-faceted impacts of refugee hosting on local communities. The authors conclude with several recommendations to address the challenges and maximize the benefits of hosting refugees, including a call for more comprehensive support for Tanzania from the international community in recognition of the diverse impacts of hosting refugees.
To learn more about the history of hosting refugees in Tanzania, check out also LERRN’s video series: 60 Years of Hosting Refugees: A Tanzanian Narrative.
Citation
Rutinwa, Bonaventure, and Khoti Kamanga. 2003. The Impact of the Presence of Refugees in North Western Tanzania. The Centre for the Study of Forced Migration, University of Dar es Salaam.