Breaking barriers to health care for refugees in remote areas of Tanzania.
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health care workers trained
clinic visits
babies born safely
At Medical Teams, we’re called to care for people who might otherwise be overlooked. That’s why, in 2018, we began providing health care services to the thousands of people from neighboring countries seeking safety in remote Tanzanian refugee camps.
The crisis barely made headlines, but the need for medical care was immense. More than 200,000 refugees in western Tanzania had almost no access to health care. Today, we’re steadfastly supporting the resilient and determined people seeking refuge in Tanzania.
Our programs in 2 large camps provide robust health care programs to refugees and Tanzanians alike.
Because we’re there, mothers can get prenatal care. Children are treated when they have malaria or are malnourished. Babies are safely delivered by skilled birth attendants. Providers receive training and work in well-stocked clinics through our donated supplies. Volunteer health workers connect their neighbors to care. Faith leaders connect across religions and lead their congregations in healthy practices.
The people we serve alongside in Tanzania have shown extraordinary courage and resilience. They want what every person has a right to: good health, a safe place to live, and compassionate care.
Our areas of work
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In the last decade, more than a million people have left Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo because of ongoing conflict. Today, Tanzania hosts just under 250,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from those countries.
People leave Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo because their lives are at risk. Years of political instability and violence have made them dangerous places for many people to stay. For decades, civilians have been caught between warring rebel factions, or outright civil wars, in both countries. Often, families are forced to leave home with little warning. They make long and difficult journeys to get to safety.
Alongside refugees, we also provide care and resources for Tanzanians who live in the remote areas near the camps we serve. They have the same access to health care that refugees do through our programs.
Regardless of where they come from, the people we serve are resilient, courageous, and talented. Many volunteer to help serve their communities and find belonging in our programs.
The Tanzanian government have been generous hosts to refugees. But the influx of people from other countries, especially since 2015, has strained the complex public health care system. Additionally, because the refugee camps are in remote areas, it can be difficult to get health care services to the people who need them.
Medical Teams, in partnership with the U.N. Refugee Agency, provides loving care to over 200,000 people in refugee camps in Tanzania.
Our team in Tanzania consists of more than 250 team members at 5 different sites across the country. Most of our full-time staff are from Tanzania. About 40% of our team are local volunteers, largely from the communities we serve. Their unique insights and perspective on how to meet the needs of their communities are invaluable to us.
Note: The numbers and statistics reflected on this page were collected from October 2021 – September 2022.
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