The Royal Norwegian Embassy has agreed with the United Nations in Tanzania to contribute 35 million NOK (about TZS 9 billion / USD 4 million) to the UN to support refugee-hosting communities through the Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) in 2021-2022. The KJP is an area-based programme being implemented jointly by 16 UN agencies in collaboration with the regional and district government authorities with the aim of accelerating the development of communities in Kigoma that are currently hosting over 264,000 refugees.

This additional contribution brings Norway’s total support to the KJP since its launch in 2017 to 307 million NOK (over USD 35 million). Reflecting on the achievements and contribution of the programme to the region, Hon. Thobias Andengenye, Kigoma Regional Commissioner recently shared that he believed that KJP and other developmental interventions supported the region to make such remarkable progress in such a short time. When the programme started in 2017, Kigoma was the last region in socio-economic indicators in the country. As of last year (2020), during the latest review, Kigoma managed to outperform 5 regions in developmental aspects, he noted.

With support from Norway, the KJP has helped to improve the lives and develop the skills of local communities in the region. For instance, the percentage of households with improved toilets has increased from 27.4% (in 2017) to 49.3% (in 2021) while water coverage has improved from 56% (in 2017) to 63% (in 2021).

In the area of agriculture, the KJP has supported over 18,000 farmers (60% of whom are women) by enhancing their capacities in good agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest handling, financial literacy and standard operating procedures for newly constructed storage warehouses. Consequently, yield production (of maize and beans) has increased by 400% among farmers who have applied the new skills and approaches they have learned.

Additionally, support provided to social protection officers in preventing and responding to incidences of violence against women and children (VAWC) has resulted in more survivors of violence receiving the necessary support that they need. The number of cases of violence managed by social protection officers has increased for women from 0 (in 2017) to 2,473 (in 2021) and for children from 122 (in 2017) to 1,915 (in 2021). Norway’s support to the KJP has also enabled government authorities in the Kigoma region to pilot the ‘safe houses’ approach to responding to VAWC. This approach has been recognized as a good practice and led to the launch of the ‘2020 Guidelines for the Establishment and Management of safe houses’ allowing for the practice to be replicated nationwide. 

Furthermore, Norway’s support to the KJP has enabled the integration of youth and women's economic empowerment interventions in the regional and local government authorities’ plans and priorities. It has also enhanced the capacities of about 14,000 youth and women entrepreneurs which has resulted in an increase in their productivity, value addition, access to finance and access to markets.

The additional resources from Norway provided for the year 2021-2022 will enable the UN to build on these and other results that have been achieved through the KJP.

Speaking during the ceremony, H.E Elizabeth Jacobsen, Ambassador of Norway to Tanzania underlined that “Norway and Tanzania have a long history of partnership and development cooperation. This cooperation has reached many regions and has contributed to significant improvements over more than 50 years. It is key for Norway to support Tanzania’s long-lasting commitment to hosting those fleeing from conflict and disaster in neighbouring countries. In Kigoma region, we aim to support those communities hosting refugees and contribute to their development, which is key to promoting peace and stability.”

On behalf of the UN Tanzania, Mr. Zlatan Milisic thanked Norway for their continued support: “We thank the people and Government of Norway for this generous contribution and in particular for their continued support to the One UN Fund which allows the UN to use funds efficiently and effectively and prioritize those activities that are most critical to improving the lives of the communities in Kigoma region”. He also thanked the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and communities in Kigoma for hosting refugees and supporting refugee operations.

Originally published on https://tanzania.un.org