The World Bank has announced a multimillion-dollar redress fund to address serious allegations of human rights abuses against pastoralist communities in Tanzania.
These claims arose during the implementation of a tourism project in Ruaha National Park, which reportedly led to violent evictions and other abuses.
Key Takeaways
- The World Bank has launched a $2.8 million redress fund for affected communities in Tanzania.
- Allegations include violent evictions, killings, and sexual assaults by park rangers.
- The Regrow project, aimed at enhancing tourism, faced severe criticism and was ultimately canceled.
- The bank’s investigation revealed critical failures in project planning and supervision.
Background of the Regrow Project
In 2017, the World Bank approved $150 million for the Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (Regrow) project. This initiative aimed to develop tourism in southern Tanzania’s protected areas, alleviating pressure on more popular sites like Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. However, the project has been marred by allegations of human rights violations against local pastoralist communities.
Allegations of Abuse
Pastoralists living near Ruaha National Park have reported numerous incidents of abuse, including:
- Violent Evictions: Forced removals from ancestral lands.
- Killings and Disappearances: Reports of extrajudicial killings and missing persons linked to park rangers.
- Sexual Assaults: Allegations of sexual violence against community members.
- Cattle Seizures: Large-scale confiscation of livestock by park authorities.
These incidents reportedly escalated after the World Bank’s funding began, leading to significant community distress and economic hardship.
Findings from the World Bank’s Investigation
A recent 70-page report from the World Bank highlighted critical failures in the planning and supervision of the Regrow project. Key findings include:
- Inadequate Risk Assessment: The project did not sufficiently account for potential conflicts with local communities.
- Failure to Mitigate Harm: The bank overlooked critical information that could have prevented adverse impacts on the pastoralists.
- Recommendations for Redress: The report outlines a $2.8 million initiative to support alternative livelihoods and legal assistance for victims.
Future Initiatives and Community Response
In addition to the immediate redress fund, the World Bank plans a larger $110 million project aimed at supporting alternative livelihoods across Tanzania.
However, community leaders have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures, demanding:
- Reversion of park boundaries to pre-1998 levels.
- Reparations for livelihood restrictions.
- Resumption of basic services suspended during the project.
- Justice for victims of ranger violence.
Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland Institute, criticized the bank’s response as inadequate, stating that the proposed alternative livelihoods do not address the fundamental rights and needs of the affected communities.
Conclusion
The World Bank’s establishment of a redress fund marks a significant step in addressing the serious allegations of human rights abuses in Tanzania.
However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on genuine engagement with the affected communities and a commitment to rectifying past wrongs.
As the situation unfolds, the voices of the pastoralists remain crucial in advocating for their rights and seeking justice.
