Tanzania’s multi-year, multi-partner protection and solutions strategy (MYMPPSS) (2017-2021) was developed in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders after extensive consultations at national and sub-national level. The five strategic objectives include: 1) Refugees and other persons of concern enjoy a favourable protection environment and basic human rights ; 2) Refugees and other persons of concern access essential services in line with national and international standards ; 3) Refugees, other persons of concern and host communities are included in national health, education and natural resource management systems in line with national standards by 2021; 4) Refugees, other persons of concern and host communities have the capacity and the opportunity to jointly contribute to the economic development of their host regions while in Tanzania or upon return to their countries of origin; and 5) Refugees and other persons of concern progressively achieve comprehensive solutions.
These strategic objectives are derived from the High Commissioner’s Core Strategic Directions and considering the deliberate alignment with the UNDAP II Thematic Result Areas and Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), the MYMP can help shape the National Dialogue and, potentially, the plan that will operationalize the Global Compact on Refugees in Tanzania.
While the strategy and much of the historical analysis remain highly relevant in 2021 and 2022, the shift in operational and protection policy in Tanzania since its rollout has meant that many of the assumptions, parameters and milestones are now redundant and the MYMPPSS will need to be reviewed and updated accordingly. UNHCR plans to support a national dialogue in 2021 to engage a broader range of governmental departments on refugee management and protection to discuss challenges and solutions. The outcome of this dialogue, plus an assessment of risks, will inform the revision of Tanzania’s MYMPPSS and priorities for 2021-22 to implement and operationalize the Global Compact on Refugees in Tanzania.
The national dialogue is expected to give a new impetus to developing a government-led approach to refugee solutions and local development, supported by the range of stakeholders. By developing a strategic plan, drawing on the Global Compact principles and approaches, Tanzania can make strides to achieve the four interlinked and interdependent objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees through the mobilization of political will, a broadened base of support, and arrangements that facilitate more equitable, sustained and predictable resources.
By collaborating with various stakeholders working in the different sectors, UNHCR will broaden its support base for joint advocacy and will gain access, including through partners, to different sector ministries and their public agencies. Engaging with various line ministries and bringing refugees on their radar is of key importance to ensure refugee inclusion and build livelihoods in a protracted context. In addition, UNHCR will actively engage and work with partners, both public and private, to include refugees and refugee hosting communities in their projects and programmes. In doing so, a broader partnership base will be realized that will jointly shoulder the responsibility of supporting refugees and the host country. This in turn will enable UNHCR to more effectively fulfil its core functions of protection and assistance of refugees, while supporting host communities to adapt to a situation of refugee presence and safeguarding longer-term development goals.