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U.S. Ambassador provides Sh.231 Million to CARE for Refugee Environmental Project in Kasulu

November 29, 2007

Ambassador Mark Green recently met with CARE International's new country director Mr. Paul Barker to handover a $20,000 check from the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees. Monies will go toward implementation of a one-year Environmental Management Project for Mtabila Refugee Camp in Kasulu District.

The Ambassador's Fund for Refugees is just one of the several programs the U.S. Government provides as direct assistance to Tanzania. During the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007, the U.S. Government is expected to provide over $648 million (over 745 billion Tanzanian shillings) in direct assistance and through multilateral organizations to Tanzania.

This is the second year in a row the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees has supported CARE (a $20,000 grant was provided for similar activities in August 2006). The Ambassador visited CARE headquarters to handover the check to highlight the U.S. Government's continued support for the significant refugee community in Tanzania.

The Mtabila Refugee camp has hosted Burundian refugees for over thirteen years. As the refugee population shrinks due to repatriation, UNHCR and the Government of Tanzania are cooperating to consolidate camps and to reorganize dwellings to bring refugees closer to camp services. This is resulting in a positive environmental effect for the area, yet much work remains. Refugees fulfil daily firewood needs with difficulty due to exhaustion of firewood harvesting sites. Firewood collection also puts women at risk of sexual exploitation or violence (including rape). The long existence of the large refugee population led to increased soil erosion, run off and the formation of gullies in and around the camp.

The funded project aims to continue on last year's successful program of establishing tree plantations in open areas in and around the camp using fast growing indigenous tree species. The project will also work to continue the rehabilitation of gullies and other soil erosion affected areas using locally available vegetative (cassava) materials. The project aims to reach the approximately 70,000 refugees located in the camp and surrounding host communities.