Tanzania has a long-standing reputation as a migrant-friendly country, hosting approximately 426,000 international migrants as of mid-2020 data. Historically, the nation has provided refuge to individuals fleeing persecution and political turmoil in neighbouring countries including Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, contributing to its hospitable society for migrants and refugees.

Since 2004, IOM has been actively implementing humanitarian and development projects across Tanzania, including the mainland and in Zanzibar. By 2024 and with over 200 staff in five regions, including the main office in Dar es Salaam and sub-offices in Kasulu, Dodoma, Arusha, Kigoma, Zanzibar and Moshi (African Capacity Building Centre). IOM has proven expertise in humanitarian and development programming, in such areas as the humanitarian–development-peace nexus; protection for migrants; migration and health; migration, environment and climate change; immigration and border management; trafficking in persons; return and reintegration; and migration policy and data.

In addition, since 2009, Tanzania has also hosted IOM’s first (and only) training institution, the African Capacity Building Centre (ACBC) in Moshi (Kilimanjaro Region). The ACBC aims to enhance migration and border management and governance. Through its partnership with the Tanzanian Immigration Service Department and the Tanzania Regional Immigration Training Academy in the provision of excellent technical support since its establishment, the Centre has become a vital resource for implementing the Country Office five-year strategy.

IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacements, and facilitate pathways for regular migration. IOM Tanzania focuses on the following main areas of intervention:

  • Pathways for Regular Migration
  • Migration and Health
  • Movement and Resettlement
  • Data and Research
  • Counter-trafficking.
  • Emergency and Humanitarian Response
  • Assisted Voluntary Returns and Reintegration

IOM TANZANIA STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, APPROACHES AND PRINCIPLES (2022 to 2027)

In reference to regional and country-specific trends, IOM has delineated seven Strategic Priorities for its involvement in the United Republic of Tanzania, aligning with three overarching Strategic Objectives: resilience, mobility and governance.

Priority 1: Enhancing Resilience to Disaster Risks and Climate Change

IOM Tanzania focuses on strengthening quality, credible and evidence-based research on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and disaster risk reduction with the objective of better informing decision-making processes including policy formulation for the government counterparts. The Country Office will continue to provide support to the government and communities to have better prevention, preparedness and response systems and capacities in place to effectively prepare and manage their immediate response to disasters or climate hazards, including displacement, by enhancing resilience and building back better.

Priority 2: Address the Drivers of Violence and Conflict

To address growing concerns of violent extremism, IOM Tanzania engages government institutions, especially the Immigration Services Department, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and communities in the development and identification of tools, systems, and strategies to prevent and combat youth recruitment and radicalization. The IOM specifically supports the government and communities through capacity strengthening, skills development, tools, and systems to identify and address the drivers of conflict as a response mechanism to prevent displacement of people associated with violent extremism. IOM Tanzania continues to support the government in the early warning and response mechanisms, development and deployment at the local levels to respond to episodes and threats of violent extremism.

Priority 3: Mitigating Vulnerabilities and Assisting Migrants

IOM Tanzania is prepared to address the critical conditions faced by stranded migrants and victims of trafficking through a multifaceted approach. The focus is on identifying and responding to protection needs, risks, and vulnerabilities of migrants, with a particular attention to gender and sexual-based violence and trafficking. IOM Tanzania aims to equip the government, communities, and civil society actors with the skills and knowledge to effectively recognize and mitigate these risks case management services, including direct assistance, technical support, and safe house services, will be enhanced for victims of trafficking, exploitation, and survivors of gender-based violence. IOM emphasizes on community awareness, dialogue, and capacity-building, guided by the IOM Handbook on Protection and Assistance to Migrants Vulnerable to Violence.

Priority 4: Facilitating Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons

IOM Tanzania ensures durable solutions for refugees and Tanzanian migrants returning from abroad. IOM Tanzania will continue to provide responsive third country resettlement and repatriation solutions, including medical screening, logistical support arrangements and travel assistance for refugees departing to the country of resettlement as well as cultural orientation sessions for refugees accepted for resettlement. In addition, attention will be given to ensuring that the economic and psychosocial needs of returnees are addressed and to fostering of their life skills in the framework of the United Republic of Tanzania National Development Plan-Vision 2025 under the pillar of Peace Stability and Unity.

Priority 5: Supporting Regional Integration

To promote regional integration, ease barriers and facilitate free movement of persons and goods, IOM Tanzania will continue to support the United Republic of Tanzania, as needed, in harnessing the regional opportunities and strategic positioning of the country in hosting some of the regional headquarters and offices for the AU, the EAC and SADC. IOM provides technical support for Migration Policies within these regional bodies. This includes centres such as the African Capacity Building Centre (ACBC) in Moshi, which promotes inter-state cooperation through closer partnerships with the AU and the RECs to achieve the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration, GCM. IOM Tanzania will ensure that the government benefits from the relevant expertise to achieve its regional integration aspirations.

Priority 6: Promoting Evidence based Governance of Migration

The implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) is essential for strengthening policy coherence, coordination, and the streamlining of migration-related policies and laws. This process aligns with guiding principles that emphasize common understanding, a people-centred approach, international cooperation, national sovereignty, the rule of law, sustainable development goals, human rights, gender responsiveness, child sensitivity, and a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. IOM Tanzania will support the effective participation of the country in regional consultative processes.

In addition, IOM Tanzania will continue to promote data-oriented interventions, such as establishing flow monitoring operations at points of entry and exit in the country or gathering and analysing data to disseminate critical information on the mobility, vulnerabilities and needs of displaced and mobile populations.

Priority 7: Strengthen Governance in the Prevention of Violent Extremism, Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons

To promote and support efforts to address deep-rooted transnational-organized crime, and promote rule of law, IOM supports strong institutions and governance to increase counter-smuggling and counter-trafficking efforts within the country and beyond. The focus is on both irregular cross-border movements and internal trafficking in the country. Addressing the issues in the areas of prevention, protection and prosecution entails collaboration with governmental and non-governmental entities as well as with other UN Agencies such as UNDP, UNODC, local communities and government counterparts. This collective effort aims to mitigate the risks of radicalization and recruitment within the country.