Burundian Refugee Resettlement From Tanzania

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Burundian Refugee Resettlement From Tanzania
Supporting the Successful Integration of
Burundian Refugees
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Burundi Background

• Located in Central Africa, bordered by the
  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and
  Tanzania.
  
• Roughly the size of Maryland

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Burundi Background

• Languages Kirundi (official), French (official),
  Kiswahili, English
  
• Ethnic groups (estimated)
• Hutu 85
• Tutsi 14
• Twa 1

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Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Who are the Burundian refugees?

• Primarily of Hutu ethnicity
• They fled Burundi in 1972 because of a campaign
  of violence led by the Tutsi-dominated
  government
  
• Some 200,000 Burundians were killed and 150,000
  fled the country
  

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Burundian Refugee Overview

• Civil unrest continued in 1988, 1993, and 1996
  causing further displacement and violence.
  
• Many have spent most of their lives in exile or
  were born in exile.
  
• They have fled more than once, including to DRC,
  Rwanda, and Tanzania.

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The Need for Resettlement
Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith

• The resettlement of Burundian refugees provides a
  durable solution to one of the most protracted
  refugee situations in the world.

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The Need for Resettlement

• The Tanzanian government has made it difficult
  for Burundian refugees to reside permanently in
  Tanzania.
  
• If they return to Burundi after over 35 years of
  exile, they will not be able to claim their
  land.
  

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The Need for Resettlement

• Land is an important commodity in Burundi and
  land disputes could threaten a newly established
  peace.
  

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
Burundian refugees also fear being viewed as
outsiders if they return.

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Where are they coming from?
The group resides in three refugee camps in
Tanzania Ngara in the northwestern region and
Kibondo and Kasulu in the western region.
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Life in the Camp

• The location of the camps are isolated.
• There is limited exposure to electricity,
  appliances, flush toilets, and other basic
  amenities.

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Life in the Camp

• Water distribution is limited.
• Housing is made of plastic sheeting, mud, sticks,
  or mud bricks.

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
There are two seasons rainy from November-May
and dry from June-October.
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Life in the Camp

• Burundian refugees in Tanzania have
• Limited movement outside of the camp
• Limited employment opportunities
• Limited opportunities to farm
• Security issues
• Years of relying almost solely on humanitarian aid

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Family size
• On average 5 persons per family
• Family roles
• Patriarchal
• Gender
• Even division between females and males

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Religion
• 96 Christian, 2 Muslim, 2 no religion
• Culture
• Drumming, dancing, and strong sense of
  community
  

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Languages
• Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, a little
  French, English is rare
  
• Literacy
• Approximately only 20 can read and write in one
  or more languages
  

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Education (Ages 5-17)
• Primary 64
• None 23
• Kindergarten 2
• Secondary 1
• Intermediate 1
• Data unknown or incomplete 9

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Health
• Low incidences of HIV
• Low rates of Tuberculosis
• High rates of Malaria
• Primary health care was provided in the camps by
  relief agencies

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Food
• Rice, corn, wheat flour, beans, cassava,
  bananas, ugali

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Characteristics of Burundian Refugees

• Many were farmers in the past, but have skills in
  carpentry, tailoring, weaving, masonry, and
  cooking.

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Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Total Burundian Refugee Arrivals in the U.S.
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Where They Are Going- Top 5 U.S. States -
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Where They Are Going- Top 5 U.S. Cities -
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Burundian Refugee Arrivals By Age
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Resettlement Considerations

• Limited exposure to modern amenities
• May need intensive case management
• The majority need to acquire basic English and
  literacy skills

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Resettlement Considerations

• It may be difficult to find Kirundi-speaking
  caseworkers and interpreters
  
• Past trauma and possible aversion to addressing
  mental health issues
  

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Resettlement Considerations

• Experiencing changes in family dynamics
• Large family sizes
• Worried about family members still in Tanzania

Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith
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Suggested Practices

• Hold monthly or bi-monthly Burundian community
  meetings.
  
• Address topics Burundians identify and utilize
  resources in the community
  
• Presentations on topics such as fair housing,
  budgeting skills, and the health care system
  
• Recruit Burundian community leaders for buy-in
  and to increase attendance

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Suggested Practices

• Create a program specifically for women or
  encourage women to start their own group.
  
• 3) Make the orientation materials interactive.
  Use real-life situations in America.
  

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Suggested Practices

• Recruit volunteers trained in cultural competency
  to tutor children or mentor families.
  
• 5) Conduct focus-groups to identify emerging
  issues in the community.
  

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Burundi Resources

• USCRI Kirundi Brochures
• Healthy Refugees Toolkit
• Download free at www.refugees.org
• 2) United Burundian American Community
  Association (UBACA)
  
• Contact at www.ubaca.org
• 3) Kirundi-English Dictionary
• www.marston.freemethodistchurch.org/Dictionaries.h
  tm
  

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Excerpts from Burundian Refugee Stories
So far nothing is disliked, but everything is
different. Burundian man, Chicago In Tanzan
ia, we would spend all day without eating. Here
we can eat. Burundian youth, Manchester

• Photo Credit UNHCR/Oliver Smith

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Program Contact Information

• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
• Amanda Gonzales
• Program Officer
• [phone] ext. 3039
• agonzales_at_uscridc.org
• www.refugees.org

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