Tanzania

Our work in Tanzania

In 2015, a violent post-electoral climate forced more than 428,000 people to enter Tanzania from the neighbouring country of Burundi. The border region of Kigoma, specifically, welcomed more than 251,000 refugees, who are now hosted in three main camps: Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli. While the vast majority of these refugees are Burundian, a significant population of each camp comes from the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

To respond to the multiple needs of refugees and their host communities, JRS started implementing activities in 2016 in the Mtendeli refugee camp, which currently hosts more than 26,400 people. Since January 2020, JRS is also present in Nvarugusu and Nduta refugee camps.

JRS distributes school stationery and offers teachers training in the camps. As well as psychosocial support through therapy groups, home visits, and recreation activities.

Education A life-saving intervention that helps displaced children and families to see beyond their displacement.
Education
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Displaced people often experience trauma due to their displacement. These services aim to meet the variety of complex spiritual and psychosocial needs.
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Within the Nuremberg-funded program, JRS has already distributed about 100 hand-wash installations and 350 bar soaps at Nduta and Mtendeli camps, targeting 20 primary and secondary schools, as well as public areas such as hospitals, markets, child friendly spaces and worship centers in both camps.
Radio broadcasting has been a crucial channel during the JRS COVID-19 awareness campaigns in Tanzania. JRS is still producing one-minute radio COVID-19 prevention adverts and a bi-monthly educative radio program on the pandemic in Radio Kwizera, a Non-Profit community radio. With this partnership, JRS offers one hour of information regarding the spreading and prevention of the disease. As well as indications of COVID-19 patients caregiving, psychosocial support to reduce fear within the community and messages against the discrimination and stigmatization towards COVID-19 survivors and recovered patients.
Primary school students in Mtendeli refugee camp.

Contact

JRS Tanzania Country Director

Ousmane Ngaide

ousmane.ngaide@jrs.net  

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