Increasing number of asylum seekers from Congo DCR is mentioned to be a challenge to Kigoma Region in Tanzania

Regional Administrative Secretary Eng. Dr. John Ndunguru discussing some issues with Mr. Crag Halbmaier Deputy Regional Coordinator (BPRM) during a Courtesy call at Kigoma Regional Commissioner's Office.

Some of members of the US -

delegation of  Bureau for Population and Refugees Migration (BPRM) sharing some conversation with The Kigoma Regional Administrative Secretary.

Deputy Regional Coordinator (BPRM) Mr. Crag Halbmaier explain some issues to the Regional Administrative Secretary during the courtesy meeting.

Increasing number of asylum seekers from Congo DCR is mentioned to be a challenge to Kigoma Region in Tanzania; the Regional Administrative Secretary for Kigoma Eng. Dr. John Ndunguru said it today during the courtesy call made by delegation of US Bureau for Population and Refugees Migration (BPRM).

Dr. Ndunguru told the delegation that some refugees are crossing from DRC through what it known “panya” ways these are mostly from Northern Eastern Goma in DRC, he sited an example which has recently happened in Sumbawanga where Congolese were trapped by Tanzania immigration Officials.

“Some of them have threatened people in our region by crossing illegally with weapons such as guns and grenades   these in turn are used for doing robbery” he added

US- BPRM has arrived in Kigoma Region for the purpose of doing some analysis, the numbers of refugees and other logistic needed for resettlement at Nyarugusu Camp where Congolese refugees reside in Tanzania; BPRM is on the move to initiate resettlement to US of Congolese refuges who have been at Nyarugusu Camp –Kigoma Tanzania for a long time.

Kigoma region has long been a leading region for hosting a number of refugees from Congo DRC, Burundi and Rwanda in the years 2000’s following Civil wars and political instability in those Countries. However up to July 2013 all refugees’ camps in Kigoma were closed except Nyarugusu Camp which hosts refuges from DRC. According to the regional refuges report only 69,313 refugees are still residing at Nyarugusu Camp.

Speaking on behalf of UNHCR delegation from Deputy Regional Coordinator (BPRM) Mr. Crag Halbmaier said the UNHCR appreciates the close collaboration which Tanzanian government is offering  to UNHCR, the Organization currently is looking for mechanism to deign how to deal with residential permits, by considering the social status between refugees who have mixed marriage between them and Tanzanian, furthermore the “Operation Kimbunga” has almost helped to reduce some illegal people who claimed to be refugees.

News & Pictures by Information Officer Regional Secretariat