OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
13 - 19 December 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES

1. Cholera/malaria outbreaks

As of 17 December 2004, in Kabezi Commune (Bujumbura Rural) a total of 105
cases were reported including two deaths and nine admissions. Four of the
eleven collines were affected. With Supported by WHO, provincial health
authorities and international NGOs working in the province provide full
assistance: medical treatment and hygiene supplies. Community health
workers of Kabezi Commune continue to raise awareness on good hygiene
practices. Meanwhile, following provincial authorities' decision, IDPs
started to return to their collines of origin. This may cause further
propagation of the epidemic as the site was dismantled before all cholera
cases could be treated.

Following reported suspected malaria epidemic in three communes of Ngozi
Province, the project of the Ministry of Health organized a mission from
13 to 16 December. Analysis of recorded information in two of three
communes did not conclude on an epidemic but cyclical malaria outbreak,
which is aggravated by the poor/precarious nutritional situation in the
province. A more detailed health-nutrition rapid assessment is underway
with the participation of WHO, OCHA, MSF and ACF.

2. Agencies support the Mother and Child week

UNICEF and WHO supported the Mother and Child week on 13-15 December. A
total of 150,000 children who had missed the 2004 routine vaccination were
vaccinated, one million children received Vitamin A tablets, three million
children received de-worming tablets and 170,000 women were vaccinated
against tetanus. The annual week dedicated to health of Mothers and
Children is an important event in Burundi to mobilize the population and
to respond to the high under five and maternal mortality, 190/1,000 and
1,000/100,000 per live birth respectively. A day of mobilization was
organized on 6 December, with the participation of the President's wife,
the wife of the President of the National Assembly and Ministers in order
to increase community participation and mobilization.

3. Landmine awareness campaign concluded

Launched on 6 December by the Independent Centre for Research and
initiatives-CIRID-, in collaboration with Fondation Suisse de Deminage
(FSD) and supported by UNICEF, the last session took place in northern
Kayanza Province where closing ceremonies were organized in the presence
of representative of the Ministry of Public security on 17 December.
According to the Head of CIRID/FSD Programme coordinator, the campaign was
largely attended by provincial authorities and heads of local
associations. Several associations adhered to the programme. To mark the
closure of activities and to meet people's request CIRID set up antenna in
Kayanza, Gitega and Rutana provinces headed by women.

4. HIV/AIDS and SGBV centre inaugurated

A centre for prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Gender based
violence was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Social Action and
Promotion of Women on 16 December in Muyinga. This centre is managed by
local NGO SWAA-Burundi, supported by the European Commission's
Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO)" through UNICEF. Since April 2004, the
centre provided psychosocial and medical assistance to 36 women from 4 to
59 years. The participants, including the Minister of Social Action, the
Governor, ECHO, UNFPA and UNICEF Representatives and other UN agencies,
had the opportunity to discus with the staff in the centre to know more
about their work and activities. The centre is planned to assist at the
minimum 550 SGBV cases per year and has 10 staff members, including
medical staff, psychological and administrative staff. The project also
includes a network of 42 facilitators/trainers and 1,260 community
animators for an effective mobilization.


For Information
Adelaide Habonimana, Information Assistant
PH: (257) 910 196
E-mail: habonimanaa@un.org

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