World Refugee Day 2002: Tanzania, United Republic of
World Refugee Day 2002: Tanzania, United Republic of
20 June 2002
Kids play in a neighbourhood populated mostly by Iraqi refugees. Because refugees are not allowed to work in Syria, children often must take informal jobs to help support their families.
© UNHCR/M.Bernard
A number of activities, including sports events and various competitions were organised in all the refugee camps in western Tanzania, where UNHCR assists over 500,000 refugees mainly from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. The emphasis was placed on making the day special for refugees and on bringing the refugees and the local residents together. The local authorities and NGOs had an active role in all the celebrations, and the refugees took the opportunity to express their gratitude for having found protection in Tanzania. In Kibondo, a group of women from Burundi visited the refugee women in the camps to discuss reconciliation and the peace process in their home country.