The World Food Programme (WFP) is forced to implement food cuts in the region, affecting Burundian refugees in Tanzania and Rwanda. In Rwanda food assistance is secured only until the end of April. A possible drastic cut in food rations is foreseen in the month of May (51%) and onwards, if no further contributions are received from donors.

1,496 Burundian refugees were in transit centers while around 1,990 individuals stayed outside due to lack of space. Most of them were women, children and older people.

So far over 85,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled to Sudan in 2017, for a total of nearly 380,000 refugees now living in Sudan since December 2013.

To accomodate the current influx of South Sudanese refugees at Meri site (150/day), construction of 3 hangars or 150 individual shelters per week is necessary.

Protection staff from UNHCR had a meeting with the District Commissioner and immigration authorities in Ngara District following reports of some ad hoc screening activities conducted by the immigration officers at border posts in the district where some asylum-seekers were reportedly facing challenges in gaining entry into Tanzania. The implications and serious concerns were shared with UNHCR in Dar es Salaam. UNHCR then sent a formal communication to the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs in Dar es Salaam for clarification and to find a solution.

In total, as of 28th Feb. 52,591 Somali refugees returned home since 8th December 2014, when UNHCR started supporting voluntary return of Somali refugees.

As of 15th Feb. 49,376 Somali refugees from Kenya returned home since 8th December 2014 ( when Vol-rep started) out of which 10,062 were supported in 2017 alone

A newly opened settlement in Imvepi, Arua district, began receiving new arrivals from South Sudan on 21 February.

The Tanzanian Government has revoked the Refugee (Declaration) Notice No. 54 granting prima facie refugee status to asylum-seekers from Burundi. Detailed modalities under which the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) will be conducted for individuals fleeing Burundi have yet to be communicated. Meanwhile the average daily new arrivals’ figure has increased to 727 individuals (during 20 January and 2 February).

The total number of refugees in Nduta Camp in Tanzania is already over 106,000 and camp facilities are overstretched. More land is needed very soon to host incoming Burundian refugees. Last week's average of daily arrivals into Tanzania was 724 refugees per day.