Nyarugusu (Tanzania): a concerning showdown between two humanitarian organizations

In the Nyarugusu camp, two humanitarian NGOs compete in the area of ​​education. These are “Save the Children” and “IRC”. As a result, schools did not open on Monday. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Two humanitarian NGOs want to manage the education component in refugee camps in Tanzania. This sector is normally managed by Save the Children.

“For the moment, several NGOs have given way to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), another NGO, International Rescue Committee also wants to take over in the field of education. So, a showdown between the two humanitarian organizations. We are even worried about our salaries”, explains a teacher from the Nyarugusu camp.

As a result, this Monday schools did not open doors. Schoolchildren and pupils have been sent away without knowing when they will return.

“Our children went to school but teachers weren’t there. Teachers who come from outside the camp have been banned from entering. So, we could not give all the lessons in the absence of our Tanzanian colleagues. We ask that this issue be addressed at the highest level so that second quarter classes continue normally”, explain refugee teachers.

In Nyarugusu, five schools have been under the supervision of Save the Children for more than 7 years.

In camps, the coordination of humanitarian NGOs is ensured by the UNHCR and the Tanzanian government. Parents want ambiguities to be cleared up so that classes do not stop for long, especially for test and end-of-cycle classes.

This problem also arises in the Nduta camp, even if classes are not yet suspended.

These two camps have more than 126 thousand Burundian refugees.