HIGHLIGHTS
1,536 Congolese new arrivals crossed into Tanzania in August 2017.
314 Burundian new arrivals crossed into Tanzania in August 2017.
10 Burundian new arrivals recorded on average per day in August 2017.
15 Refugees departed for resettlement countries in August 2017.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
UNHCR works closely with other UN agencies through the UN Reform Delivering as One initiative and participates in the UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP II) 2016-2021, under the Resilience Thematic Results Group. Within this group, UNHCR undertakes action to ensure that a joint vision of protection-sensitive and solutions-oriented assistance to refugees and asylumseekers is delivered in line with international norms and standards. UNHCR also works with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), its direct Government counterpart in Tanzania, while maintaining productive working relationship with other Government entities as well as NGO partners.
Under the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM), UNHCR leads and coordinates the response to the Burundi refugee emergency in Tanzania. The RCM is intended to provide an inclusive platform for planning and coordinating refugee response in order to ensure that refugees and other persons of concern receive the protection and assistance they require through the collective efforts and capacities of all partners involved.
The roll out of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in Tanzania calls for a ‘whole-of-society’ approach that involves the engagement of new and existing partners including from national and local authorities, international organizations, international financial institutions, civil society, the private sector, and academia. The CRRF will not introduce a new coordination model but rather use and build on existing coordination structures, including those under the RCM.
MONTHLY DEVELOPMENTS
A High-Level Dialogue between UNHCR and the Government of Tanzania, was held in Dar es Salaam on 9 August 2017. The Government's team was led by the Minister for Home Affairs and the UNHCR team was led by the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. The Dialogue culminated in the release of a Joint Statement which underscores the commitment by the two parties on key issues related to the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), access to Tanzanian territory and an enhanced Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process, maintenance of the civilian and humanitarian character of asylum, registration, voluntary repatriation, resettlement, naturalization and support to host communities.
The High-Level Dialogue was preceded by a meeting of UNHCR Representatives from other operations in the region hosting Burundian refugees. Highlights related to the adoption of a regional approach for assisting Burundians who want to return voluntarily to their country.
The 19th Tripartite Commission (TC) meeting for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundi Refugees in Tanzania was held in Dar es Salaam on 31 August 2017, with delegations from Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR. It was preceded by a meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) from 29-30 August 2017. A Joint Communique following the conclusion of the TC meeting on 31 August represents the position of the three parties on the voluntary repatriation exercise. In partnership with the Governments of Tanzania and Burundi, UNHCR is ready to assist any refugees who express a desire to return to Burundi, as long as the decision is voluntary. The Governments of Burundi and Tanzania reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of voluntary repatriation of refugees. The two countries also acknowledged that while some refugees may opt to return, others may still have well-founded reasons for not returning.