DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) --The United Nations refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi, arrived in Tanzania on Tuesday for a four-day official visit to the east African nation, home to refugees from neighboring countries.

A statement issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said during his visit, Grandi will convey UNHCR's gratitude to the government of Tanzania for the country's longstanding generosity towards those fleeing conflict and persecution.

The statement issued in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam said Grandi will also thank Tanzania for its steadfast commitment to refugee protection and supporting durable solutions for refugees.

While in Tanzania, Grandi will meet with donors and partners, including the government of Tanzania, said the statement.

By December 31, 2018, Tanzania was hosting 326,942 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.