Nyarugusu Refugee Camp
Nyarugusu refugee camp is located in the western province of Kigoma, in Tanzania. “It was built between 1996 and 1997 for refugees fleeing war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)” (The Guardian, 2015). It currently holds 130,249 refugees including new arrivals from Burundi (UNHCR, 2016). Statistics state that 57.4% of the newly arrived population is children and, 77.9% is the total number of women and children (UNHCR, 2016). These statistics make Nyarugusu one of the largest refugee camps in the 21st century. Nyarugusu was built to house only 50,000 refugees and has since almost tripled its capacity, due to Burundians seeking refuge from political violence in 2015 (Plan International, 2016). The clip above displays drone footage of the living conditions in Nyarugusu.
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Education in Nyarugusu:
There are 16 schools in Nyarugusu, allowing education to play a key role in reducing the effects of trauma for children caught up in conflict and natural disasters (The Guardian, 2015). Children receive an education and experience normal life through the comforting routine of school (The Guardian, 2015). Emphasis is placed on reading, writing and play which is recognised as a vital part of the learning and healing process.
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Life as a refugee:
“Becoming a refugee makes a person vulnerable and exposes them to hardship, uncertainty, potential sickness, injury or death” (ICRC, 2016). The clip below presents a day in the life of a 7 year old boy, Ebalo, living in Nyarugusu.