Kigoma region in Northwestern Tanzania is among the poorest and most marginalized areas in the country. For decades Kigoma and the neighboring Kagera region have hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees from the surrounding Great Lakes countries of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. The presence of refugees has had both positive and negative consequences for the refugee hosting communities.
The large scale humanitarian operation has had positive impacts to the economy and local markets; host communities were provided with camp-based health services, and roads, airstrips and other infrastructure have been constructed. Perceived threats by the communities are security and the sustainability of services as humanitarian assistance in the regions has now been scaled down, as refugees are being returned home and camps are being closed.
Twelve UN agencies, in the framework of the UN reform called Delivering as One, have agreed with the Government to initiate a Joint Programme to continue to provide support to the two regions and five refugee hosting districts.
"Nothing has taken place without discussions between the UN and the Government. We have developed together the action plans and we are undertaking joint monitoring in the field. This has helped us to do our work properly, "says Kasulu District Executive Director, Mr. Francis Namaumbo.
The 10 million USD Joint Programme is half-way through its 3-year duration and concrete results are now surfacing in the regions.
"With the Joint Programme we have tangible things that people can see. They are benefiting directly from the support provided, "Mr. Namaumbo explains.
In Kasulu the UN agencies have jointly engaged in several development activities while still providing humanitarian assistance to the two remaining refugee camps. For example the Muyovosi former refugee camp closed in 2007 and rehabilitation of its buildings started in December 2008, by funding from the Joint Programme. The work to put a school and clinic in place is almost done. The water system has been improved; the whole camp area has running water, and buildings are receiving the finishing touches of fresh paint and improved ventilation. District officers have been supervising these rehabilitation efforts.
The former primary school at Muyovosi is being upgraded to a secondary school for boys and girls. Windows, doors and partition walls are being installed in the former camp church that is being converted into a hostel for boys. Girls will be housed in the former service building up the road. When the school opens in 2010, there will be up to 240 students.
Nearby, the camp health centre is getting a facelift.
This was used for providing health services to 30 000 refugees and the five villages around the camp. Now we are making rehabilitation to keep on providing the same services for the villages and the students. says Mr. Bwire Mjuberi, the District Planning Officer and Joint Programme focal point.
Health services are much needed in the area. Some of the Nyakitonto villagers used to visit the refugee camp clinic when it was still in operation. They are now eagerly waiting for the clinic to reopen.
"I took my child to Muyovosi for blood. Here in Nyakitonto we dont have medical practitioners, there is no doctor or blood supply. I will definitely use the facilities at Muyovosi again, " said Ms. Adela Madjoro who lives in the village.
In addition to restoring the services in the area, the district also promotes the resettlement of local population in the vast fertile land where the former camp is located.
"We have agreed to support the district to develop a land use and management plan, engaging in participatory planning the five village councils surrounding the former camp and the new settlers. Land related conflicts are frequent here and we want to ensure that the new facilities and former camp land will be used in harmony by all villagers," says Ms. Simonetta Rossi, UNDP Programme Manager.
The joint effort of the UN agencies and Government is generating a second life for the former refugee camp and, progressively, winning the minds of villagers, moving them away from the logic of being compensated for having hosted refugees to participate in the creation of development perspectives in the district.