TANZANIA: 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000888 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PRM/AFR FOR A WENDT, AF/E FOR B YODER KAMPALA FOR R SCHIEBEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PREL TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA: 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES REQUEST REF: STATE 41367 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Per reftel's invitation, Post proposes a USD 20,000 award from the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees to address the environmental degradation in refugee camps and their host communities in western Tanzania. Post has consulted with the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), NGOs and the Government of Tanzania (GOT) and identified this critical gap in refugee assistance/protection. Both refugees and the members of host communities will benefit. ¶2. (U) DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: Facilitate the creation of participatory natural resource management plans in refugee host communities, including the areas immediately surrounding refugee camps which areas are affected most heavily by refugees and their need for firewood. ¶3. (U) JUSTIFICATION OF PROJECT: Tanzania continues to host over 340,000 refugees, most of whom are concentrated in the western region of Kigoma. The presence of the refugee population has put a large strain on an already-fragile environment, resulting in Tanzania experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation in Africa. Refugees and host communities alike rely on firewood and over 90 per cent of the population of Tanzania depends on forests for their livelihood. The deforestation effects the refugee population in that they lose the source of firewood on which they depend heavily. Most areas within a four-kilometer radius of a refugee camp, the area permissible for collection of firewood by refugees, are devoid of trees altogether. The host community and the larger environment are also affected as deforestation causes soil erosion, reduction of water tables, and reduced crop yields. ¶4. (U) The environmental impact of hosting refugees exacerbates the tension-riddled relationship between refugees, host communities and GOT officials. Therefore, addressing the environmental issues will lead to improved social conditions in the region. GOT officials at the national, regional and district levels consistently cite the environment as the number one problem with the refugee camps. However, the GOT does not have the resources to develop comprehensive resource management plans. Effective planning will involve local government officials and community leaders, and include a public awareness component. ¶5. (U) IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: CARE International has experience in environmental work in and around refugee camps, is currently performing such work and has a suitable code of conduct per reftel. Post certifies that it has the authority at post and the capacity to award a grant to CARE International prior to the end of the fiscal year. RETZER