|
UNHCR chief in the country to assess refugee situation
2008-03-10 09:07:31
By Guardian Reporter
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, is in the country for an official visit to witness one of the world`s most protracted refugee situations.
Guterres, who jetted into the country at the weekend, was due to inaugurate a two-year programme intended to repatriate thousands of refugees located in various camps in the country.
Part of his visit would include going to see some 218,000 Burundian refugees who fled their home country in 1972 and they had ever since lived in three settlements in Tabora and Rukwa regions.
A press statement issued on Friday said that Guterres, who is also a former prime minister of Portugal, was scheduled to meet senior officials of the government and would also meet with the UN system leaders in the country, donors and other key stakeholders.
The high commisioner was due to travel with his host, Home Affairs minister Lawrence Masha, to Ulyankulu and Katumba settlements in Tabora and Rukwa regions, respectively.
The high commissioner yesterday was expected to see off the first group of refugees under the organised repatriation programme from Katumba settlements.
Some 20 per cent of the refugees had expressed their willingness to return to Burundi while those who wish to stay in Tanzania will be able to apply for citizenship in accordance with the national laws.
UNHCR and the international community will support the Tanzanian government in the final integration of those whose applications for citizenship will be granted by the government.
The governments of Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR have expressed their wish to find lasting and dignified solutions for refugees and a strategy was developed to bring the situation to a close.
At least 218,000 Burundian refugees live in the old settlements while 110,000 live in refugee camps under the support from UNHCR and other organisations.
Tanzania also plays host to 96,000 refugees from Congo in Kigoma and Kagera regions.
|
