The concept of refugees as a privileged group among a poor host community is novel. Yet this is sometimes how the situation of refugees settled in one of Tanzania's planned refugee settlements is interpreted. However, a marked contradiction exists between, on the one hand, the favourable outside impression gained of life in the settlement and, on the other, the more negative perception of their circumstances by the refugees themselves. Certainly, refugee settlement programmes are often generous in terms of the land allocations, provision of physical and social infrastructure and delivery of a range of social and economic services which far exceed the levels of the poor surround ing populations. Examined more closely, however, many apparent benefits are illusory, short-lived or of limited utility to the recipient group. The article examines various dimensions of wellbeing of refugee settlers, and attempts some explanation of why actual living standards and conditions, despite impressive assistance programmes, remain low. The implications for future settlement programmes are considered finally and arguments advanced for continuing to support a 'generous' approach to refugee resettlement, albeit one which recognises existing shortcomings and which is more responsive to refugees' needs. © 1988 Oxford University Press.

[No Keywords available]

[No Keywords available]