OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
30 May - 5 June 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Update on humanitarian assistance to Rwandese asylum seekers in Burundi:
humanitarian assistance to Rwandan asylum seekers continues to be
provided within the framework established by the government of Burundi.
The asylum seekers arrive in the sole site of Songore from Cankuzo and
other areas in Ngozi and Kirundo. Extension of the centre is underway in
order to reach a hosting capacity of up to 6,000 persons. In addition to
the twelve existing sheds, four others will be built. Plastic sheeting
is distributed to new comers in order to secure temporary sheltering.

WFP has provided food aid to 4,739 asylum seekers through its partner
CARE International on Thursday 2 June. Following the identification of
severely malnourished cases, ACF has planed a systematic screening of
malnutrition cases. No epidemic has been reported so far; however, six
cases of dysentery have been identified and are being treated by Africa
Humanitarian Action (AHA). A vaccination campaign against measles has
been planed. Due to imminent shortage of medicines in Ngozi health
centres where asylum seekers receive medical assistance, the bi-monthly
health exchange meeting held in Bujumbura on 1 June has recommended that
UNICEF avails additional essential medical kits in these centres. It was
also decided to reinforce epidemic surveillance mechanisms. Meanwhile,
water and sanitation in Songore site remain an issue. There are only 70
latrines for nearly 6,000 persons. Construction of latrines continues in
order to improve the situation. Concerning water supply, all options
that would reinforce water trucking pipeline have been envisaged in
order to meet emergency standards.

As a result of sensitization activities jointly organized by Burundian
and Rwandan authorities, 120 asylum seekers have already returned to
Rwanda.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Health, Butaganzwa Commune (Kayanza): MSF Holland has started its
programme in Musema (Butaganzwa Commune) health facility. Without
external support, this hospital has not functioned for long time due to
lack of resources. MSF Holland's support mainly includes medical
supplies and capacity building for the health staff.

Food security: From 30 May till 3 June, FAO/Emergency Coordination Unit
conducted a training session on the cassava disease in Gitega for
partners including the department of agriculture and livestock, NGOs and
the national Research Institute for improved seeds. The objective of the
workshop was to raise awareness on the cassava mosaic issue in the
current context of efforts to find varieties that resist to the disease.
In addition, FAO, UNICEF, WFP, OCHA and the Ministry of Agriculture will
jointly conduct a two-week mission to assess the agricultural season
2005-B crop yields and subsequent food/nutrition needs.

Refugee returns: as of 29 May, UNHCR reports 12,072 facilitated and 848
spontaneous returnees. Total: 12,920 returnees. As part of repatriation
efforts, UNHCR has undertaken building activities aiming at extension of
six health centres in Ruyigi Province. Four primary schools are under
construction in Gitega (2) and in Ruyigi (2). In Cankuzo Province, nine
primary schools will be built with the financial support of UNHCR.

Food aid update: Last week, the Country Office (CO) distributed 533 Mt
of food to 97,670 beneficiaries in Burundi.

SECURITY AND ACCESS

Bujumbura Rural and Bubanza: due to shelling and gunfire, people in six
communes in Bujumbura Rural (Isale, Muhuta, Nyabiraba, Kanyosha) and in
Bubanza (Mpanda and Rugazi) could not vote on 3 June. In Bujumbura
Rural, people were temporarily displaced.

Ruyigi and Rutana: armed banditry has been reported in Ruyigi (31 May);
in Shanga (Rutana), armed men in military uniforms looted several
households (29 May).

Gitega: extended movement of protest by guardians of peace claiming for
demobilization fees has been reported. However, this did not hamper the
holding of the communal elections.

COORDINATION

Contact Group meeting: held on 1 June. The Minister of Environment was
the guest speaker. He briefly presented the situation of the environment
in Burundi, a few days before the celebration of the World Environment
Day (5 June). "The situation is concerning," said Minister Albert
Mbonerane. He invited all humanitarian actors to support the awareness
campaign on environment issues to prevent further destruction due to
poor /lack of information.

Displacement of population: 287 persons from Northern provinces who were
displaced in Kabuyenge (Ruyigi) due to food insecurity have returned
into their communes of origin, Busoni and Bugabira (Kirundo Province).
This operation has been made possible due to joint collaboration of the
UNHCR, the National Commission for War Affected Persons (CNRS) and the
Ministry of Reinsertion. OCHA has undertaken contacts with WFP and FAO
in order to organize assistance.

FAO/ agriculture coordination committee (CCA): held on 1 June.
Participants including UN agencies, national and international NGOs and
the agriculture and livestock department approved the project of
assistance to the vulnerable throughout season 2005-C. Associations of
vulnerable will receive seeds package comprised of vegetable seeds,
beans, maize, sweet potatoes, fertilizers and tools starting mid June
2005.

Makamba: within the framework of rehabilitation of infrastructures in
areas of important returning caseloads of displaced persons and
refugees, OCHA has participated in the identification of six primary
schools to be built in Kibago and Kayogoro communes. These activities
will be achieved with the financial support of UNDP.

For Information

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

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