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Country analysis

Tanzania


Food insecurity has been a continuous problem in Tanzania for the past three decades, mainly resulting from poverty, climate change, and insufficient access to essential resources, such as water and cultivable land. The majority of individuals living in rural areas depend on subsistence agriculture, and they face difficulties in producing sufficient food given various climate shocks, such as droughts and floods. An estimated 839,000 people (9% of a population of 8.7 million people in 28 analysed districts) are expected to experience acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC 3 Phase) – over the March–May 2023 period.

Tanzania was also hosting more than 247,000 refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo as at 28 February 2023. The majority of them are sheltering in Nduta and Nyarugusu camps in Kigoma region, northwestern Tanzania.

For some host communities, the presence of refugees has created economic competition, especially in the agricultural sector, where most refugees are engaged. As refugees are paid less than workers from the host community, the economic opportunities of some Tanzanian nationals (especially casual labourers) are being affected. As a result, the Government has been limiting refugees’ engagement in some economic activities, such as in agricultural production, since the 1990s.

(IPC 30/12/2022, Xinhua 03/03/2022, UNCHR accessed 14/03/2022, UNCHR accessed 23/03/2023, UNHCR/WB 30/04/2018)

Food insecurity has been a continuous problem in Tanzania for the past three decades, mainly resulting from poverty, climate change, and insufficient access to essential resources, such as water and cultivable land. The majority of individuals living in rural areas depend on subsistence agriculture, and they face difficulties in producing sufficient food given various climate shocks, such as droughts and floods. An estimated 839,000 people (9% of a population of 8.7 million people in 28 analysed districts) are expected to experience acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC 3 Phase) – over the March–May 2023 period.

Tanzania was also hosting more than 247,000 refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo as at 28 February 2023. The majority of them are sheltering in Nduta and Nyarugusu camps in Kigoma region, northwestern Tanzania.

For some host communities, the presence of refugees has created economic competition, especially in the agricultural sector, where most refugees are engaged. As refugees are paid less than workers from the host community, the economic opportunities of some Tanzanian nationals (especially casual labourers) are being affected. As a result, the Government has been limiting refugees’ engagement in some economic activities, such as in agricultural production, since the 1990s.

(IPC 30/12/2022, Xinhua 03/03/2022, UNCHR accessed 14/03/2022, UNCHR accessed 23/03/2023, UNHCR/WB 30/04/2018)

Latest updates on country situation

24 September 2024

By the end of August 2024, there were 233,257 people displaced in Tanzania from other countries, mostly Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among them, 192,389 (82%) are refugees, and 40,868 (18%) are asylum seekers. 192,270 (82.4%) are living in camps, 19,100 (8.2%) in settlements, 21,507 (9.2%) in villages, and 380 (0.2%) in urban areas. Shortages of funds continue to severely affect the lives of displaced people with limited WASH activities, medical supplies, and NFIs. (UNHCR 17/09/2024, (UNHCR 11/09/2024)

07 May 2024

On 4 May 2024, Tropical Cyclone Hidaya hit Mafia Island in Tanzania, leading to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Although the full impact of the cyclone is not yet known, Hidaya aggravated the already existing flooding situation in the country since August 2023. Between January–April 2024, the rains and floods killed at least 155 people, injured 236, and affected 200,000. Flooding also damaged 100,000 houses and inundated 76,700 hectares of farmland in Pwani and Morogoro regions alone. The impact of Hidaya is likely to further affect the livelihoods of the majority of the population, who depend on agriculture and livestock. School infrastructure, roads, bridges, and health facilities are also inundated. Floods have affected 14 of the 26 regions in Tanzania. Those affected likely need shelter, food, NFIs, and health services. (IFRC 08/05/2024, Xinhua 06/05/2024, The Independent 05/05/2024)

16 April 2024

Since the beginning of April, heavy rains have been affecting different regions of Tanzania. As at 15 April, at least 58 people died, over 1,500 were displaced, and nearly 127,000 were affected by the floods. The worst-affected area is the Rufiji district in the coastal region, with damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Needs include shelter, food, WASH, healthcare, and protection. (Al Jazeera 15/04/2024, ECHO 16/04/2024, IFRC 10/04/2024)

05 December 2023

There has been heavy rainfall in northern, western, and eastern Tanzania since mid-October 2023, but particularly inclement weather in Manyara region, particularly Katesh village, since December 2 has led to landslides, resulting in at least 63 deaths, 116 injuries, and two missing people in Hanang district as at 5 December. Damaged roads and defective telecommunications challenge assessing the number of displaced people, but estimates go up to around 5,600 affected people. The heavy rains have also affected Nyarugusu refugee camp, suspending food distribution, medical services, and other critical activities. The affected people are likely to need shelter, food, NFIs, healthcare, and WASH services. (IFRC 23/11/2023, ECHO 05/12/2023, Mahoua Parums X 02/12/2023)

21 October 2023

In July 2023, the Ministry of Health in Tanzania confirmed a cholera outbreak in three regions: Arusha, Kigoma, and Mara. As at 8 October, there were 268 reported cholera cases, including nine deaths, putting the case fatality ratio at 3.3%. Most cases (61%) were recorded in Mara region, followed by Arusha (24%) and Kigoma (14%). The rainy season runs from November–April, which could heighten the risk of the disease spreading. (WHO 20/10/2023, FEWS NET accessed 24/10/2023)

26 September 2023

Since January 2023 until 19 September, 13,300 people fled from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Tanzania because of clashes between armed groups and government forces. These people have been relocated to Nyarugusu refugee camp, which hosts nearly 150,000 people. Limited resources are hindering the provision of humanitarian assistance in the camp. (UNHCR 20/09/2023, MPI 24/08/2023)

17 July 2023

As at 30 June 2023, Tanzania was hosting more than 255,400 refugees and asylum seekers mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 84% of the refugees and asylum seekers, the majority of whom were children (55%), lived in camps in Katavi, western Kigoma, and Tabora regions, including about 132,000 people in Nyarugusu camp in Kigoma, near the Burundian border. Most refugees and asylum seekers lack adequate access to livelihood opportunities and face challenges in accessing food and nutrition. (UNHCR 17/07/2023, FAO 13/07/2023)

current crises
in Tanzania


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

TZA001 - Country level

Last updated 28/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement
Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

TZA003 - Food security in North-East

Last updated 28/11/2024


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.3 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

REG012 - Southern Africa Regional Food Security Crisis

Last updated 30/09/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3.8 High

Access constraints

3.0

TZA002 - Refugees

Last updated 28/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.4 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Tanzania

Tanzania: Refugee influx from the Democratic Republic of Congo

30 March 2023

Tanzania: Refugee influx from the Democratic Republic of Congo

DOCUMENT / PDF / 268 KB

More than 2,600 refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) entered Tanzania between 5–14 March to flee from the escalation of clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congolese army in Kivu region. The immediate needs reported are food, WASH, shelter, and healthcare. 

Mixed migration
Tanzania: Displacement from Burundi

18 March 2016

Tanzania: Displacement from Burundi

DOCUMENT / PDF / 487 KB

Political tensions in Burundi escalated after the President announced his intention to run for a third term in April. Violent protests in the capital have killed 20 and injured 200. On 13 May, leaders of the army attempted a coup, which failed after two days of violent clashes. The situation remains tense and people are fleeing the country. 

Displacement
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