A total of 238 Burundians that were living in Kigoma have just made an informed decision to voluntarily return home to Bujumbura in the course of this week .
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the move is being facilitated by the UNHCR, the Governments of Tanzania and Burundi and other partners.
It involves the repatriation and ensuring that returns take place in a safe and dignified manner.
Previously in November 2023 officials from Burundi and Tanzania held talks with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) during the 24th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission for the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees living in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Recognizing the generosity of the people of Tanzania in hosting Burundian refugees for decades, all parties agreed to reinforce promotion of voluntary repatriation to Burundi in accordance with the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement of May 2001.
The voluntary repatriation process will be guided by a well-defined roadmap established during the 28th Technical Working Group meeting held on 28 and 29 November 2023, which included provisions such as the improvement of infrastructures, expansion of reception facilities and capacities for awareness raising and counselling, and registration for repatriation, to enable refugees to make informed decisions for voluntary repatriation and maximize resources.
It was also agreed that while the voluntary repatriation exercise is ongoing, Burundian refugees will continue to benefit from international protection in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Among other key recommendations, all parties agreed to facilitate the recognition of school certificates and vocational training obtained by refugees in the country of asylum upon return to the Republic of Burundi and the review of the cost-effectiveness of administering Burundian examinations in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Commission also agreed to redouble efforts in resource mobilization to support the repatriation of refugees and reintegration of returnees.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR continues to appeal to the international community to support Burundi’s efforts to provide essential services and support to returnees and their communities which allow for sustainable returns, as well as support the ongoing voluntary repatriation efforts in Tanzania.
Since the start of the voluntary repatriation exercise in September 2017, more than 230,000 refugees have returned home to Burundi from neighbouring countries, including over 161,000 from Tanzania.
As of the end of October 2023, around 248,000 Burundian refugees were being hosted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Of these, around 155,000 refugees reside in the Nduta and Nyarugusu camps in Kigoma region of Tanzania.