Compassion amid challenges: How host communities in Tanzania navigate refugee support

Dar es Salaam. For over a decade, Tanzania has been a sanctuary for refugees fleeing conflicts from their countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, as global humanitarian funding declines and security concerns rise, the country has tightened its refugee policies, particularly in Kigoma Region.

Stricter encampment laws now limit refugees’ freedom of movement and self-reliance, raising critical questions about the role of host communities in supporting their displaced neighbours.

“Host communities have shown remarkable resilience and compassion,” says Prof Hebert Hambati of the University of Dar es Salaam, a lead researcher in the Everyday Humanitarianism project.

“But for their kindness to translate into tangible benefits, the government and international actors need to recognise and support their efforts,” Prof Hambati suggested.

In Kigoma, home to some of Tanzania’s largest refugee camps, including Nyarugusu, Mtendeli, and Nduta, new restrictions have severely curtailed refugees’ ability to engage in activities such as vegetable farming and small-scale trading, according to a recent research.

The study; From Insights to Action: Everyday Humanitarianism in Tanzania, says for many, survival now depends on informal labour outside camp boundaries, despite the risks of exploitation and deportation.

“I hired a refugee to help on my farm,” explains Mr Abdallah Musa, a resident of Kibondo, adding, “He worked hard, but when others found out, I had to let him go because I feared getting into trouble with the authorities.”

This legal environment has created a precarious situation for both refugees and their Tanzanian hosts.

Tanzanians offering shelter, work, or even food to refugees risk criminalisation under stringent regulations.

As a result, even those willing to help must weigh up their compassion against potential legal and financial consequences.

Faced with these challenges, refugees are increasingly turning to one another for survival. Established refugees teach newcomers vital skills, such as Kiswahili, to help them integrate.

The report released in November, this year, notes that they (refugees) also share resources and provide emotional support, creating informal networks of mutual aid.

“We rely on each other because we have no one else,” says Jeanine Nkurunziza, a Burundian refugee in Kasulu. “But we need formal structures to ensure we are safe and can contribute positively to the community.”

Tanzania’s Refugees Act of 1998 provides the legal basis for refugee management but emphasises encampment, limiting refugees’ rights to movement and employment.

The government’s enforcement of these laws reflects its concerns about national security and economic strain.

However, experts argue that these policies overlook the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration between refugees and host communities.

Prof Hambati recommends revisiting the encampment policy to allow refugees limited freedoms for economic activities.

“Reopening the common markets within camps or developing new legal frameworks to support collaboration between refugees and locals could benefit both groups,” he says.

The UN’s Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP 2022-2027) outlines strategies to address these issues, focusing on integrating refugees and host communities through shared projects.

“By supporting joint agricultural ventures or vocational training programmes, we can foster a sense of shared purpose and reduce tensions,” adds Hambati.

Voices from the field

Residents of Kigoma’s refugee-host districts echo the need for a balanced approach.

A trader in Kasulu, Halima Zuberi, recalls the days when common markets within camps were operational.

“We sold our goods to refugees, and they sold their produce to us. It was a win-win situation,” she says, adding, “Now, with the markets closed, both sides have lost opportunities.”

Meanwhile, refugees without legal documentation remain vulnerable to exploitation.

“Some employers don’t pay us for our work,” says Pascaline Mukandutiye, a refugee in Kibondo, adding, “They threaten to report us to the authorities if we complain.”

To address these challenges, humanitarian organisations need to step in. The Everyday Humanitarian research recommends providing alternative energy sources to reduce refugees’ reliance on firewood and supporting projects that include both refugees and locals.

UNHCR’s ‘out of camps’ policy also offers a potential solution. By allowing refugees to live and work outside camps under regulated conditions, this approach could enhance their self-reliance while benefiting local economies.

“We need to move beyond mere survival strategies for refugees,” says Dr Sofia Mwakalukwa, a policy analyst specialising in migration.

“Programmes that integrate refugees into local economies can create a foundation for long-term development,” she says.

The Tanzanian government must take decisive steps to foster collaboration and reduce tensions between refugees and host communities.

Allowing limited cultivation and reopening common markets within camps are practical first steps. Additionally, regularising the status of some urban refugees could help mitigate legal and social risks.

International actors have to complement these efforts by promoting sustainable support systems.

“Humanitarian aid should not just meet immediate needs but also empower refugees and locals to build a shared future,” says Dr Mwakalukwa.