Nduta-Nyarugusu (Tanzania): a handover and takeover process between humanitarians which costs much for the beneficiaries

For more than a week, some humanitarian NGOs have been leaving the camps to make way for new comers who must continue to take care of refugees. This is particularly in the areas of health, education and family well-being. This transition results in poor service. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Refugees affected by the slow handover and takeover by NGOs speak of “heaviness” that violates basic rights of refugees in Tanzania.

“The distribution of firewood for the elderly has been postponed because the employees who prepare and cut down tree trunks have been suspended, the classes are not yet open a week after the start of the school year, the sick who wish to go to seek treatment outside the camps do not go there because the new medical NGO is not yet well established,” said Burundian and Congolese refugees from the Nyarugusu camp.

This disruption of activities is caused by the fact that UNHCR has changed or swapped humanitarians in almost all areas in an attempt to improve the quality of services provided.

The humanitarian NGOs which have already announced that they intend to stop their service are among others Women’s Legal Aid Center (WILAC) which deals with the legal aspect, PLAN International which helps children under 18, HelpAge International which is interested for the elderly and disabled and IRC which deals with violence against women.

The services and aid they provided will be given by another humanitarian NGO called the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

In Nyarugusu, on Monday, a very long queue at the UNHCR protection office was seen.

“We were able to count between 450 and 500 people who wanted services because the offices that usually received them were closed. Most of them want to see where we are with their transfer file to a third host country, a service more corrupt ” said a UNHCR volunteer.

“To try to reserve listening to everyone, this UN agency gave out meeting tickets and you imagine that the last meeting is fixed for the month of April, which shows how much the service seekers are very many,” he added.

The refugees believe that the permutation or change of humanitarians should not violate their basic rights and ask that basic services be privileged.

However, refugees fear other serious consequences.

“How are services normally provided by four NGOs going to be well provided by a single NGO? It is normal that the quality of service will suffer. And even more, it is key NGOs that are closing the door”, lament Burundian refugees, fearing loss of life in the coming months.

This suspension is all the more misinterpreted.

“We are left to our own devices. It is also a strong message that Tanzania and the UNHCR send to us. And so they want us to come back willingly or by force. And this, after visits by the Burundian authorities here”, continue the refugees, angry.

In Nyarugusu, the Red Cross will take care of the health component for Congolese refugees while MTI (Medical Team International) will now take care of Burundian refugees.

Tanzania has more than 200,000 refugees, including more than 145,000 Burundians.