On Monday, 20 October 2025, George Ndalo,
Education Officer at UNHCR, convened a meeting with coordinators, inspectors,
community leaders, and parents at the coordination office in Zone 8.
During the session, Ndalo communicated that, according to his statement, the
period for Burundian refugees to live in Tanzania has ended, and returning to
their country is presented as inevitable, regardless of personal choice.
He highlighted school closures as evidence that protection for Burundians is no
longer guaranteed.
Ndalo indicated
that only
three schools remain open, but these may soon be closed by
government order. Education would then be limited to four two-hour learning sessions.
He referenced UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi,
claiming that Burundians should return because peace has allegedly been
restored in Burundi and that Tanzania is obliged to enforce this decision.
Ndalo further stated that his role aligns with government directives rather
than UNHCR priorities, emphasizing: “Many of
you think that I work for UNHCR, but in reality, I work with the government and
I must implement what the government instructs us to do.”
He explained
that measures already underway include the gradual reduction of food
rations (FISHA) zone by zone, and that refugees who refuse to
return will be sent to Departure Centers for return preparation sessions.
Ndalo added that all forms of humanitarian assistance, including healthcare,
food, education, and other aid, will soon be terminated. He
claimed that UNHCR resources have been redirected to Burundi for development
projects, leaving refugees in Tanzania without critical support.
In conclusion,
Ndalo announced the planned closures of refugee camps, with Nduta camp
scheduled to close on 30 March 2026 and Nyarugusu camp
on 31 June 2026. CDH/VICAR strongly condemns these
measures, warning that they put Burundian refugees at extreme risk, violate
principles of voluntary repatriation, and contravene international refugee
protection standards. The organization calls on UNHCR and the Tanzanian
government to uphold humanitarian obligations, guarantee
protection, and ensure that no refugee is forcibly returned or denied essential
assistance.
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