OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
Period: 24-30 Mar 2003
30 March 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Humanitarian Activities
1. World Water Day in Burundi

The World Water Day 2003 was celebrated on 25 March in Burundi's southern
province of Makamba. Under UNICEF project, 9 gravity-feed water
distribution systems have been built in addition to 485 protected water
sources providing water to 168,000 people, among whom 44,000 internally
displaced from Makamba Province. This UNICEF project also provided the
rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in 16 primary schools
and 8 health centres in the province. "We are particularity concerned over
the conditions of internally displaced children and women, which
represents a majority of the population in IDP camps. A joint UN agency
study in 2002 concluded that 71% of IDPs do not have access to the minimum
of 10 litres of water per day," UNICEF's program Co-ordinator Bruno Maes
said during the ceremonies.

UNICEF supported similar projects in Ruyigi Province, which added up the
total of beneficiaries to 213,000 persons in Burundi.


2. Tuberculosis still a public health problem in Burundi

"Some 6,500 cases of tuberculosis are recorded and treated annually in
Burundi", health workers said on Monday in Bujumbura during the observance
of World Tuberculosis Control Day. The figure, however, may not be a real
picture of the situation in the country, as many TB patients neglect to
get medical attention, the workers said. A more realistic figure should be
more than 15,000 patients per year, said Dr Thaddée Buzingo, Director of
the National Tuberculosis Control Project.


3. Food stocks low after a long dry spell

According to the Early Warning System and Food Security Surveillance unit
in

Burundi, a period of abnormally dry weather has led to a drop in the level
of food stocks in most parts of Burundi. In its March bulletin, the unit
reports a 19 percent fall in the production of beans, the essential source
of protein for most Burundians. The unit forecast that the next harvest
might also de disrupted because of poor and late rains.


4. Returnees as at 25 March 2003

UNHCR (Burundi) reports 7,219 facilitated and 4911 spontaneous returnees
Y.T.D.


Security

5. Upsurge in violence throughout Burundi's eastern and central provinces

Fighting has intensified over this week in the eastern and southern
provinces notably in Ruyigi and Muramvya. In Kavumu and Musenyi hills,
Kiganda Commune (Muramvya Province), Military sources within the 3rd
military region reported 68 CNDD-FDD rebels killed, 10 rebels captured and
4 soldiers wounded; 29 machineguns and large quantity of ammunition
reportedly seized. Mr Isaac Bujaba, Governor of Ruyigi Province, told
Associated Press News agency [Monday, 24 March], that 2 pupils and 2
teachers (from Bake primary school, Butaganzwa Commune), and 4 soldiers
have been killed by a rocket-propelled grenade. Large presence of rebels
in Nyabitsinda Commune (Ruyigi Province) has also been reported. Clashes
between the Army and CNDD-FDD rebels have also been reported in Kayanza
Province as rebels try to enter the hideout of Kibira forest.


6. General

   Over a hundred people reported drown on Friday [21 March] as a
   Congolese boat sailing from Kalemie in DRCongo capsized in Lake
   Tanganyika.

   Ruyigi Province, Ruyigi Commune, Buruhukiro area: several people
   including the head of Buruhiro area along with pupils reported abducted
   by an armed group [23 March]. The pupils managed to escape on Monday
   [24 March]

   Kayanza Province: Rebel attack: Livestock stolen from Muruta and
   Kayanza communes. Witnesses report 1 killed and 3 people wounded [24
   March].

   Cibitoke Province: Attack in Buganda Commune [eve. of 23-24 March]: 2
   people killed, money, livestock and households property looted.

   Cankuzo Province, Mishiha Commune: 1 child killed, 1 head of police
   frontiers station abducted and 1 soldier wounded [eve of 23 to 24
   March].

   Launching on Wednesday [26 March] of activities of the National
   Commission for the Rehabilitation of Affected People (CNRS/28 members)
   by President Buyoya.

   Makamba Province (southern Burundi): Returnees reportedly beaten up by
   a group of rebels opposed to the ongoing repatriation programme [Net
   Press news agency, 26 March]

   The Human Rights League for the Great Lakes Region alerts on a risk of
   war between Rwanda and Uganda.

   Local sources in Kigoma, (Tanzania) advise on planned attack on Burundi
   capital [Net Press news agency, 23 March]



Political

7. Palipehutu-FNL (non-signatory) in peace talks in Switzerland

Talks aiming at ending the Burundi 9 years war were held in Switzerland
[17-22 March] between the Palipehutu-FNL (Agathon Rwasa) and politicians
from the TNGoB and the Army. "The meting was very constructive, it laid a
good start for the talks," stated Mr Pasteur Habimana, Palipehutu-FNL
Spokesperson.


8. AU's Force for Burundi to deploy soon

Following the signing of a protocol on the deployment of the African
Mission observers for peace keeping [24 March], Mr Térence Sinunguruza,
Burundi Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Ambassador
Mamadou Bah, the African Union SRSG, also signed an

Agreement on the statutes for the African peacekeeping forces, which are
expected to be soon deployed in Burundi [26 March].

Prior to this, President Buyoya met, in Pretoria, with South African
President Mbeki [22 March] in his capacity as chair of the African Union,
and "expressed concern that the deadline for the deployment of an African
peacekeeping forces had passed three months and there appeared to be no
movement in this regard," Mbeki's Spokesperson said. "President Mbeki
agreed that the process had to be moved forward quickly and undertook ...
to sending South African Troops as soon as possible," SA Spokesperson
added.

9. Latest events

   President Buyoya announces that political changeover on 1 May , in
   accordance with the constitution [Speech, 28 March]. Before leaving for
   Pretoria, South-Africa [28 March], Vice-President Domitien Ndayizeye,
   told journalists, at the airport, that "the changeover issue will be
   sorted out before 1 April 2003".

   Closure of the 12th IMC session [21 March]: Ambassador Berhanu Dinka
   calls upon the TNGoB to take concrete measures for the immediate
   release of political prisoners and others illegally detained
   (Communique final).

   National Commission for the Rehabilitation of Affected People (CNRS/28
   members): Activities launched by President Buyoya [26 March].

   The National Council of Bashingantahe calling upon politicians to
   respect commitments to Arusha agreements for the good of the nation [24
   March].

   Pro-Tutsi Parties (G10 family) refuse to support pro-Buyoya Party on
   leadership [radio Bonesha, 27 March].

   Economy: Rwanda and Burundi to join the Free Trade Area (FTA) on 1
   January 2004, Mr Erastus Mwencha, COMESA Secretary-General, said.

   Primary school teachers regrouped within the STEB and SLEB trade Unions
   on strike, starting 27 March.



Coordination

10. Contact Group Meeting (for the Minutes access: www.ochaburundi.org)

   Chaired by Mr Stefano, Severe (Humanitarian Coordinator a.i.),
   31 attendees [26 March].

   Mr Marc Jolly, Cankuzo Province Focal Point (MSF-CH), presented the
   minutes [19 February].


For Information

Nicholas McGowan
Information Officer, OCHA Burundi
PH: (257) 951 681, E-mail: mcgowann@un.org


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