OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
7 - 13 April 2003


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

HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES
1. Resurgence of cholera epidemic in Bururi Province

Over two weeks, 33 cases of cholera have been recorded, including 16
hospitalised in Rumonge hospital, Rumonge Commune [Bururi Province].
"Medicines required are available", said the Director of the hospital, Mr
Innocent Ntamavukiro.

2. WFP Food distributions

UN World Food Programme has distributed 358.55MT to 43,810 beneficiaries
in Bujumbura Rural, Muramvya and Ruyigi provinces.  Due to insecurity,
distributions have been hampered in Kayanza, Muramvya and Gitega
provinces. WFP participated in a joint WFP/UNHCR head counting to verify
the current number of Congolese refugees in Gasorwe camp (Muyinga
Province).  The figures were revised downward from 3,400 to 2,107.  
Refugees were provided with ration cards to be used for the next food
distribution.  UN WFP Household Food Economy Assessment teams conducted a
rapid assessment mission to evaluate the impact of hailstorm reported last
month in Bwambarangwe Commune (Burundi's Northern Province of Kirundo).  
In addition, WFP distributed a total of 710.513MT food to beneficiaries
including HIV/AIDS orphans, participants in Food for Work projects,
malnourished persons from nutritional centres and repatriates.

3. HIV/AIDS

Burundi's HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan was officially launched on Wednesday [9
April] by the Ministry for Interior and Public Security.

4. World Health Day

The World Health day has been celebrated in Burundi under the theme "A
healthy environment for children" [7 April].

5. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

"Burundi will not be spared by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
epidemic which has rocked the world since mid-February in southeast Asia,
and which continues to claim victims", commented Dr Athanase Ndayiragije
(University Medical Centre) in Bujumbura.  To prevent the disease from
reaching Burundi, the Ministry of Health organised a three-day information
and awareness workshop [8-10 April] for travel services/agencies, and
health staff.  One SARS case has been reported in South Africa [National
Public Radio, 9 April].

6. Returnees as at 4 April 2003

UNHCR (Burundi): Report 7,782 facilitated and 5,999 spontaneous returnees
Y.T.D.

The number of spontaneous returnees continues to increase in Makamba
Province.


SECURITY

7. Fighting reported in Burundi's central provinces of Muramvya and Gitega

Over the week, clashes between the Army and CNDD-FDD rebels have been
reported in Muramvya and Gitega provinces.  Since Wednesday [9 April]
fighting was reported in Carire area, Bugendana Commune, Gitega Province.
Displaced people [nearly 7,000] sought refuge at Kirimbi and Mugera
parishes.  Rebels arrived on Tuesday [8 April] from Rutegama and Kiganda
communes, Muramvya Province.

8. General

Cibitoke Province: One vehicle ambushed on National Highway N°5 [6 April]
allegedly by a dissident group (Palipehutu-FNL) from DRCongo.  6
reportedly killed.

One person reported killed by common-criminals in Makamba Province [7
April].

Rebel attack in Ruyigi centre, Gasanda quarter: Livestock and household
property stolen.

Muyinga Province, Gasorwe Commune: 3 reported killed by unidentified
gunmen [5 April].

Bujumbura Rural Province, Isale Commune: Mrs Antoinette Minani, a primary
school teacher from Rushubi II, shot dead by unidentified people [9
April].

Makamba Province: Communal Administrators report an upsurge in looting and
armed robbery [meeting held to discuss the situation with the provincial
governor on 9 April].

Ruyigi Province, Butaganzwa Commune: Rebel attack in Masake and Munazi.
[10 April].

Kayanza Province, Matongo Commune: Rebel attack kills one guardian of the
peace [10 April].

Bubanza Province, Bubanza Commune: Mr Bakundukize (FRODEBU Party), a
primary school teacher (Muramba Zone), was shot dead [8 bullets] by a
group said to belong to the CNDD-FDD [10 April].  He had reportedly been
warned to leave the FRODEBU Party.

Bururi Province: A trader's vehicle ambushed 3 km southward from Rumonge
district by over thirty armed men [10 April].  All passengers' property
stolen.


POLITICAL

9. Burundi peace process: South Africa seeks support

Mr Jacob Zuma, SA Deputy President, met with Mr Luis Michel, Belgian
Deputy Prime Minister [10 April] pertaining to the implementation of the
cease-fire agreements, preparations regarding the deployment of the AM
peacekeeping force, as well as other matters relating to the second phase
of the Burundi peace process.

10. Former US special envoy calling for support to Burundi peacekeeping
mission

Mr Howard Wolpe, former US Presidential Special Representative to the
Great Lakes Region, urged the US Congress on Thursday [3 April] to support
the peacekeeping mission due to be sent to Burundi.  "These African
Nations can neither undertake - nor sustain- this critical mission without
substantial financial and logistical support of the USA and others within
the international community," Wolpe said in a written testimony submitted
to the House Committee on International Relations, Africa Sub-Committee.

11. African peacekeeping force due in Burundi

"The force will be here by 1 May," stated General Sipho Binda, Commander
of the African peacekeeping force on arrival in Bujumbura, with
approximately 50 soldiers [9 April].

12. Latest Events

Parties [within G10 pro-Tutsi family] in fierce competition for the
Vice-Presidency [Net Press, 7 April].  Mr Terence Nsanze (ABASA Party) has
been mooted for the post.

Burundi government officials and opposition groups are meeting in Kampala
on final preparations for the second phase national transitional
government [Ugandan newspaper].

The human rights association, Iteka League, condemns the abduction by
CNDD-FDD rebels of Mr Christophe Nduwimana, a Police frontier agent.  
Iteka urged his immediate release.


COORDINATION

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

Chaired by Mr Stefano Severe, Humanitarian Coordinator a.i.  37 attended
(9 April).

FAO/emergency coordination presented the distribution for 2003-B season.
The minutes for Bujumbura Rural and Muramvya Province Focal Point meetings
were presented respectively by Ms Alexandra Pönder (GVC) and Mr Francis
Périnau (Solidarités).

14. MYR CAP 2003

OCHA conducted the first meeting on the CAP 2003 Mid-Year Review [9
April]. All CAP Focal points attended.  Agency and NGO contributions are
now anticipated by 17 April.

15. GTS

Mr Emmanuel Jenje, GTS President chaired the Monday meeting [7 April].
Training sessions were run for GTS representatives in Ruyigi and Cankuzo
provinces between 8-10 April.

For Information

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


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org