Ireland to take in Tanzanian refugees

Refugees from Tanzania are to be resettled in Ireland under a UN program, it emerged today.

Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan and officials are to travel to the West African country next month to finalise details.

Last year, Ireland accepted almost 100 refugees from Burma who were living in hillside camps on the border with Thailand.

They were resettled in Co Mayo as part of an integration project carefully managed by local and national service providers.

The Tanzania refugees, who are expected to arrive in Ireland in coming months, will be resettled in a town selected by the Office of Integration after detailed local consultation.

The families will then take part in an orientation programme to help them to adjust to Irish life.

Children will be given basic English and mathematics courses while the adults will learn practical tasks such as cooking, household budgeting and applying for a driving licence or a library card.

Irish Aid has committed €40m in bilateral funding to Tanzania in 2008.