Key Developments

Tanzania hosts more than 247,000 refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom are from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 80 percent of refugees in the country reside in western Kigoma Region's Nduta and Nyarugusu refugee camps and remain highly dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet basic food and nutrition needs. Government of Tanzania policies such as restrictions on agricultural activities and refugees leaving camps also continue to limit refugees’ livelihood opportunities.

On November 4, 2022, Chargé d'Affaires Robert Raines issued a declaration of humanitarian need in Tanzania due to continued food and nutrition insecurity among refugees in Tanzania. USAID will continue to provide food and nutrition assistance to save lives, reduce human suffering, and mitigate the impacts of the humanitarian emergency on the most vulnerable.

Background

Since 1996, intercommunal violence and political instability have driven thousands of people from Burundi and the DRC to seek shelter in neighboring Tanzania. USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) supports the delivery of emergency food and nutrition assistance to help meet the basic needs of refugees residing in Mtendeli, Nduta, and Nyarugusu camps.