Children in emergencies
We aim to support refugee and migrant children and their families in north-western Tanzania
Context
Kigoma, a region within Tanzania, grapples with a significant influx of refugees from the neighbouring countries of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to instability and conflicts since the early 1990s. Over 200,000 refugees reside in densely populated camps. 58% are children under 18, 20% are under 5, and over 2,500 are unaccompanied or separated children. The refugee camps face issues of overcrowding, inadequate shelter, limited healthcare services, overcrowded schools, dilapidated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and severe food ration cuts due to insufficient funding.
UNICEF in action
In collaboration with UNHCR and implementing partners, UNICEF is committed to safeguarding refugee children and providing essential services. This involves enhancing access to prevention and treatment for severe acute malnutrition, reproductive maternal and child health services, WASH services, mechanisms to prevent violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as ensuring quality education and a safe learning environment. UNICEF employs various strategies, including joint advocacy for the inclusion of refugees in national systems, capacity development of partners, provision of emergency supplies, monitoring and evaluating accountability practices and strengthening social sectors in host districts to build community resilience. These efforts aim to address the needs of both refugees and host communities in a timely and effective manner, particularly in the face of significant underfunding.