Africa Guardian

Umoja Newsletter: On 16 August, the United Nations
in Tanzania converted some of
the assets and infrastructures
formerly used for refugees under its Joint
Programme 6.1, into social service facilities.
The rehabilitated assets were
handed over to the local government by
the United Nations Development Programme
Deputy Country Director Louise
Chamberlain at ceremonies in the
Kigoma and Ngara Districts of Northwestern
Tanzania.
Since 2008, the United Nations joint programme,
called ‘Transition from Humanitarian
Assistance to Sustainable Development
in North-western Tanzania’, has
supported the conversion of the structures
into schools and health centres in
the two regions.
“I would like to commend the two principle
features of the programme: It was
designed according to the priorities and
in close dialogue with both regional and
local government authorities and there
was visible focus and synergy in the joint
allocation of resources,” said the Kigoma
Regional Commissioner Colonel (rtd)
Joseph Simbakalia.
Speaking on behalf of the UN in Kigoma,
Chamberlain noted, that “the programme
can show a number of achievements
which include two boarding schools in
Lugufu… in Kibondo, some 173 households
are now living in a former refugee
camp, benefiting from water and health
facilities and doing farming.”
“The programme also refurbished police
stations, border offices and provided
equipment and training for more than 300
police, immigration and village officers in
this region,” she added.
In recent years, progress towards
achieving democratic
and peaceful solutions to conflicts
in neighboring countries
has resulted in a significant
decline in the number of refugees
living in Tanzania. Consequently
humanitarian operations
in the country have been
downscaled.
The return of refugees to their
home countries and closure of
camps has left behind many
assets which were formerly
used for humanitarian assistance.
T anzania’s Commission
for Human Rights
(CHRAGG) launched a
report on the state of children in
detention on 2 August. The
report found that 31 per cent of
children in detention centers
complained of rights violations,
harassment, abuse and degrading
treatment.
The launch was attended by
government officials, UN Agencies
and Non Governmental
Organizations. Representing
the UN, UNESCO Country
Representative Vibeke Jensen
commended the work done by
the Commission and the Government
of Tanzania and called
for further joint efforts for more
significant results. She underscored
that children committing
crimes lose neither their right to
protection nor their basic human
rights.
A total of 65 detention centers
were visited in 16 regions, and
591 out of 1400 detained children
were interviewed for the
report. Among the issues raised
is the state of violence children
experience, both physical and
sexual, while in detention. The
report identified three groups of
detained children: new violators,
repeaters and those who
accompany their parents
(mothers) in prison.
According to the Director of
Research and Documentation
at CHRAGG, Epiphania
Mfundo, in most detentions
children have no legal rights.
They are mixed in with adults,
and suffer from the lack proper
governance systems in prisons
and unsatisfactory living conditions
in detentions. UNICEF
among others, have provided
technical and financial assistance
to CHRAGG.
For his part, the Director of
Public Prosecution, Elieza Feleshi
expressed the value of
human rights, insisting that
detaining children should be the
last resort while rehabilitation
and reintegration into society
should be the priority.
CHRAGG Finds Children’s Rights Violated in Detention
Kigoma Regional Commissioner Joseph Simbakalia
and UNDP Deputy Country Director Louise Chamberlain
shortly after unveiling a plaque at Lugufu Secondary
School Administrative Block in Kigoma.
Gender Ministry Director of Administration and Personnel Augustino
Mudogo launches the report. On his right is the Director
of Public Prosecution Elieza Feleshi; to his left is UNICEF Representative
Dorothy Rozga.
UN turns refugee camps into schools, health centers
UNFPA donates vehicles
for 2012 census
A s the world population is set to
reach 7 billion in October 2011,
Tanzania is planning to conduct a
nationwide census in August 2012, preceded
by a pilot census in September
2011.
United Nations, through UNFPA, and in
collaboration with development partners
will provide support to ensure that both
the 2012 Tanzania Population and Housing
Census and the 2011 pilot census are
conducted according to international
agreed standards. For example, in June,
UNFPA handed over 18 vehicles that will
be used during both phases of the census.
The total value of the vehicles was
over US$ 700,000.
“This generous support was made possible
by the UK Department for International
Development. We continue to call
on all donors to support this important
undertaking that will generate up-to-date
population based data which is fundamental
for economic and sociodevelopment
planning, programming and
monitoring,” commented Dr. Julitta Onabanjo,
UNFPA Country Representative.
In Tanzania, both the United Nations and
Government place great importance on
the use of population data for policies
and programmes. This is an important
tool in collective efforts to reduce poverty.
Each survey adds to the understanding
of the health, population and living standards
of the population