The Contribution of Diaspora on Household Poverty Alleviation: Zanzibar Urban West Region

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the contributions of Diaspora on household poverty alleviation in Unguja Urban West Region Zanzibar. The results indicate that the people living in Diaspora contribute greatly to their household members in terms of improving their income. The Diaspora brought to the home population between TZS 1, 000,000 up to TZS 5,000,000 which mark 64% of the income. About 44% of the total income brought by Diaspora is coming in the holy month of Ramadan. While 33.3% of the income is coming in the holydays and only 23% of the funds are coming in other months when needed by household members. Furthermore, the results show the positive effect on the contribution of Diaspora on supporting social services to the household members. Whereas 59% of the income brought for social services from the Diaspora is being used for education development,  26% is being used for the development of health and15% is for other services like paying for electricity and water bills. Zanzibaris in Diaspora are increasingly making contributions to the establishment of investments. The statistics on investment by Diaspora show that investment in car ranks top (28.2% ) followed by investment in running shops (18%) building schools (15.3%), establishing stationary, (15.3%)  opening dispensary (13%) and 10.2% are invested in other areas. General findings reveal that members living in Diaspora established Information Technology Centre and Education Centres in Unguja Ukuu which help the member of households and other people in the society in Unguja. The study conclude that Diaspora is important in the poverty reduction to the extent that their contribution in improving peoples income, provision of social services like education and health services are the major indicators in the improvement of living standards to the people. It is recommended therefore that the Zanzibar government should increasingly recognize the contribution they make in poverty alleviation and economic development of their home country and has to take some positive steps to engage in Diaspora. Also the government is recommended to know where Diaspora lives, their numbers, level of education and their occupation the case that will be easily to utilize them in their country of origin