TANZANIA has received 129,210 refugees from Burundi between April last year and February 10, this year, bringing the number of immigrants to 191,436 in all camps in the country.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Spokesperson Mr Isaac Nantanga during a press conference held in Dar es Salaam.
He said that since April 2015, a total of 129,210 refugees have fled from political instability in Burundi to Tanzania and currently are accommodated in various camps in Kigoma region.
He further explained that the number of refugees at Nyarugusu camp in Kasulu District has surged to 79,290, other 45,487 refugees are settled at Nduta camp in Kibondo District while 4,543 more are at Mtendeli camp in Kakondo District.
The spokesperson told the press that the government was working hand in hand with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in handling the influx of refugees through provision of basic needs such as food, security, shelter and water.
Apart from refugees from Burundi, there were other refugees from other countries who settled at Nyarugasu camp prior to April 2015.
Amongst them 61,887 Congoleses, 150 Somalians, and 189 from other countries, hinted Mr Nantanga Expounding further, the official told the press that Tanzania through National Eligibility Committee (NEC) is finalising evaluation of 815 asylum seekers.
Amongst the asylum seekers, Democratic Republic of Congo is leading with 735 applications, followed by 25 from Burundi, 18 from Syria, 15 from Yemen, 14 from Rwanda, Iran and Eritrea with 3 applications each and 2 from Kenya, he explained.
Also other 147 new asylum applications have been received by NEC in which 24 applications are from Yemen and 13 from Syria. Other applications in the waiting include 80 from Burundi, 18 from DRC, 6 from Somalia, 2 from Uganda and 1 from South Sudan, he explained.
In order to avoid over-crowding of refugees in camps, the government has established a new refugee’s camp at Nduta in Kibondo District and re-opened Mtendeli camp in Kakondo District as Nyarugusu camp in Kasulu District was over populated with 160,000 refugees.
The re-allocated refugees are 50,000 from Burundi.
Source:Daily News:Refugee camps over crowded as more Burundians arrive
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