REDESO bears its origin from KARADEA, which was a Tanzanian NGO based in Karagwe District, Kagera region, in western Tanzania. REDESO (formerly KARADEA) started working in Kibondo - Kigoma region in 1998 as an implementing partner to the UNHCR projects. The initial activities were camp management in Mkugwa refugee camp. 

In 1999, REDESO started working in Nduta and Mtendeli refugees camps on the area of environment management as an implementing partner to 
UNHCR-projects. 

Apart from working in refugee camps under UNHCR support, REDESO has been assisting Tanzanian local communities residing near these camps to rehabilitate and manage their environment through activities such as tree planting and water sources protection.