Tanzania’s Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth Project (‘REGROW’, or the ‘Project’) financed through a $150 million-equivalent credit from the International Development Association (IDA), aimed to improve the management of natural resources and tourism assets in priority areas of southern Tanzania and to increase access to alternative livelihood activities for targeted communities. It was approved in 2017. In April 2024, the World Bank suspended disbursements due to shortcomings related to the Government’s initial steps in a planned resettlement process, which has since been stopped. The Bank was also concerned about an inadequate grievance redress mechanism, and the lack of a system for reporting incidents or concerns that could adversely affect villagers. The Project was subsequently closed in November 2024 at the request of the Government of Tanzania.
In 2023, the World Bank learned of reports of violence and planned involuntary resettlement of communities living in and near Ruaha National Park, one of the national parks supported by the Project. These concerns became the basis for two requests for inspection by the Inspection Panel— an independent complaints mechanism for people and communities who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by a World Bank-funded project.
This page presents Frequently Asked Questions about measures to respond to the challenges related to REGROW.
Why did the Bank suspend the REGROW in April 2024?
On April 17, 2024, the World Bank suspended disbursements under the Project because the Government had initiated preparatory activities for resettlement without following the requirements of the Project’s Resettlement Policy Framework. This followed reminders from the Bank to the Government on the subject during missions and in letters, first in August 2023, then in December 2023 and, again, in March 2024. In addition, the Bank noted shortcomings in the establishment of an adequate grievance redress mechanism and the need for a system to report on previous and future violent incidents in the Project area. The Bank required all three issues to be resolved before disbursements could resume.
How will the well-being of affected communities be addressed?
The Government has informed the Bank that it currently has no intention of resettling communities in the foreseeable future, and that communities may continue pursuing their livelihood activities.
In addition, the Government will work with the Bank to support the communities in and around Ruaha National Park by addressing potential livelihood and water use challenges arising from restrictions of access to the Park. The Government, with support from the World Bank, is in the process of consulting communities to identify and develop new interventions and activities, which may include support for alternative livelihoods, jobs, and climate resilience, as well as social services, including legal information to access the justice system.
Will the World Bank compensate communities for their claims of losses (injuries, deaths and property losses)?
Any claim for compensation needs to be pursued through the Tanzanian legal processes in accordance with applicable law. The World Bank is supporting the Government to bring legal services closer to citizens through the ongoing Judicial Reform Project. The Bank and Government are also exploring ways to provide legal information and other targeted support to local communities in and near Ruaha National Park through a local Non-Governmental Organization.
One of the chief complaints of REGROW stakeholders focused on the Government’s decision to expand park boundaries and the Government’s plans to resettle communities located within those wider boundaries. Will the World Bank push the Government to return to older Ruaha National Park boundaries?
The expansion of Ruaha National Park’s boundaries was not part of REGROW and occurred well before its initiation. The Bank does not have the authority to compel the Government to alter park boundaries. Such decisions are under the jurisdiction of the national government.
Will there be further resettlement activities in and around Ruaha National Park?
The Government has informed the World Bank that it currently has no intention of resettling communities in the foreseeable future, and they may continue exercising their usual livelihoods activities in their villages. In addition, the Government has committed to maintaining a strengthened Grievance Redress Mechanism, and the Bank will maintain a national hotline and e-mail (“Tanzania Alert”) for direct grievance reporting to the Bank in relation to its lending portfolio.
What happens if the Government resettles people from Ruaha National Park in the future?
Whether to pursue resettlement plans is the Government’s decision, not the Bank’s. Any such process would follow applicable national laws and standards regarding resettlement. But as noted above, the Government has informed the Bank that it currently has no intention of resettling communities in the foreseeable future, and they may continue exercising their usual livelihoods activities in their villages.