The impact of refugee presence on host populations in Tanzania: A desk review

Ogude,Helidah Refiloe Atieno

ABSTRACT

This desk review focusses on the impact of refugee presence on Tanzanian populations. It was conducted against the backdrop of the new global commitments made to protecting refugees and better supporting the countries and communities that host them. The review covers a brief history of refugee policy and practice in Tanzania, an overview of some mediating factors that influenced impacts, including pre-existing livelihood strategies in various refugee-hosting districts and immediate policy responses to the refugee influx, such as camp locations. The section that follows then covers areas of research that have been more comprehensively analyzed: (1) labor market outcomes, with some studies placing more emphasis on the gendered dynamics, as well as the distinct impact on causal labor; (2) the local economy and food prices; (3) food security and prices in terms of the humanitarian impact; (4) local infrastructure and services; (5) environmental impacts; (6) security and social cohesion; and (7) long-run welfare impacts. The publication concludes with lessons learned and policy and practice options and a brief taxonomy of areas for possible further research. It is hoped that the evidence and analysis presented here will inform policy responses for the various governments across the world faced with significant refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) populations, as well as the humanitarian and development actors involved in supporting them.