OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
28 February - 6 March 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Increased efforts against HIV/AIDS: the local association for the
support to persons living with HIV (ANSS) inaugurated its centre
"Turiho= we're alive" on Friday 4 March. This was also the occasion to
launch the operational plan for the improvement of access to anti
retroviral (ARV) treatment, which takes inspiration from the WHO
3x5initiative. The ceremonies were chaired by the Head of State,
Domitien Ndayizeye. Governmental officials, United Nations agencies
representatives attended the ceremonies. ANSS could reach this objective
thanks to the financial support by French NGO, SIDACTION and the Belgian
and French Governments.

Supported by the Government through the Ministry of Health,
international NGO Gruppo Di Volontariato Civile (GVC), local association
for the family welfare (ABUBEF), UN agency WHO and the Italian
Cooperation, a modern health centre for youths was inaugurated on 3
March 2005. The health centre, which is located in Jabe Zone (Bujumbura
Town) aims at voluntary screening and prevention of HIV/AIDS in youths.
The centre will allow reinforcement awareness, communication and
education activities on HIV/AIDS in favour of the youths. The
inauguration ceremony was chaired by the Spouse of Burundi's Head of
State, and UNAIDS Regional Director for western and central Africa.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has adopted the bill on legal
protection of HIV infected persons and those living with AIDS on 2
March.

Refugee returns: As of 6 March, UNHCR reports 6,044 facilitated and 474
spontaneous returnees. Total: 6,518 returnees.

ACTIVITIES

Seeds distribution update: in partnership with national and
international NGOs, the FAO Emergency Coordination Unit (FAO/ECU)
assisted vulnerable families with seeds and agricultural tools. The
activity, which will run until 12 March, has been covered up to 71%.
Provinces that were covered during the reporting period include Kirundo,
Muyinga, Rutana, Mwaro and Bujumbura Rural.

With the aim to increase nationwide availability of the type of sweet
potatoes that is rich in beta carotene, the multiplication programme,
which started in Cankuzo and Makamba provinces, was extended to Bururi,
Cibitoke, Muramvya and Bujumbura Town through national and international
organizations, PIA Rububu, ARP, Solidarites and Caritas. Also, in a bid
to address the severe cassava mosaic that was first reported in Northern
provinces, the multiplication of cassava cuttings that are resistant to
the disease is underway. The cuttings will be distributed nationwide
with priority to most affected provinces of Kirundo and Muyinga.

Food aid distribution update: WFP continued the distribution of seeds
protection rations (SPR) in Kirundo, Makamba and Ruyigi provinces. Due
to active participation of local community, targeting has significantly
improved in some areas. A total 821 tons of SPR were distributed to more
than 95,000 persons. Thanks to the support by the peacekeeping mission
in Burundi (ONUB) and UNHCR, WFP will increase its distribution capacity
and will therefore complete cancelled distributions due to the
constitutional referendum period.

COORDINATION

Cankuzo: within the framework of continued efforts to assist the
displaced persons who fled hunger in Kirundo Province, OCHA, through its
Ruyigi sub-office, met with humanitarian actors in the field namely
UNICEF and LVIA, an international NGO. Discussed issues included
improvement of sanitation/hygiene in Kabuyenge site, which hosts several
displaced families from Kirundo. Another meeting was held with the
provincial representative of the ministry of Planning and Solidarites,
provincial focal point NGO to decide on the setting up of sector groups.
Given the number of partners present on the ground, food security,
education and health sectors can be started soon.

Ngozi: on 2 March, OCHA conducted a field mission in Ngozi Province
aiming at meeting with the newly appointed provincial Governor.
Discussions included OCHA's role with regard to the coordination of
humanitarian activities and its coordination mechanisms: the focal point
and sectoral group meetings. The Governor expressed overall satisfaction
on the different coordination mechanisms. In a separate meeting,
following a workshop organized by WFP, OCHA, Action Against Hunger (ACF)
and CARE international NGOs exchanged on the targeting issue with regard
to discharged beneficiaries from nutritional therapeutic centre.

The weekly Contact Group meeting was held on 23 February under the
chairmanship of the Humanitarian Coordinator, Ibrahima D. Fall. Mr
Ismael Diallo presented the ONUB/Human Rights section.

SECURITY AND ACCESS

Bujumbura Rural, Kanyosha Commune: residents from Ruyaga area were
reportedly displaced due to military operations that started from 5 to 6
March. Looting was also reported in families and local shops.

For Information

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

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