Tanzania hosts more refugees than any other African country4. Tanzania Tanzania has hosted about two million refugees over the last two decades, although a large number have now been repatriated. The country currently shelters 680,862 refugees from neighbouring countries like Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most live in camps. Officially they are not allowed to work, and are often in direct competition with local people for basic commodities such as firewood. Like most other African countries, Tanzania accepts the broader definition of "refugee" which includes those fleeing war or civil unrest regardless of whether or not they could establish a well-founded fear of persecution.