The International Rescue Committee initiated operations in northwestern Tanzania’s Kigoma Region in December 1993 in response to a large influx of refugees from neighboring Burundi and Rwanda, where ethno-political violence and civil war forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Although nearly all Rwandan refugees in Tanzania have since returned to their homes, subsequent episodes of violence in Burundi forced thousands more to flee to Tanzania and the outbreak of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1996 led to an influx of Congolese refugees into Tanzania. Currently, UNHCR and its partner organizations assist approximately 102,000 Burundians and 96,000 Congolese who call northwestern Tanzania their home. 

How We Help
The IRC currently serves approximately 85,000 Burundian refugees in two camps in Kigoma Region. The IRC provides health services and support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) among the approximately 35,000 refugees residing in Kibondo District’s Nduta camp. In Kasulu District’s Mtabila camp, the IRC assists some 50,000 Burundian refugees with camp management, education, protection and GBV services. The IRC’s Kigoma field office provides medical screenings for new arrivals, medical transport services and assistance to Burundian refugees who escaped the 1972 ethnic violence in Burundi. IRC teams also assist Congolese refugees preparing for repatriation.
 
With increasing stability in both Burundi and DRC, many refugees are choosing to repatriate. In conjunction with UNHCR, the IRC promotes and facilitates voluntary repatriation to Burundi and facilitates voluntary repatriation to DRC. Since UNHCR initiated facilitated voluntary repatriation to Burundi in 2002, over 300,000 Burundians have returned to their home country. Over 50,000 Congolese have returned to DRC since 2005.

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