OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
5 - 11 June 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Highlights

Forced Returns from Tanzania: On 6 June, a second group of 85 Burundians
who had been expelled by Tanzanian officials arrived in Kobero (Muyinga)
at the Tanzanian-Burundian border. They were considered illegal
immigrants since they allegedly never regularised their stay in
Tanzania. The exact circumstances of their expulsion, however, remained
unclear.

So far, Burundian authorities and humanitarian partners can provide
assistance without major difficulties. The governmental Project for the
Repatriation and Reintegration of War-affected Persons (PARESI)
transported the new arrivals to their areas of origin. However, small
group remained in Kobero, as they could not give an address or community
of origin for they had lived in Tanzania for too long.

Repatriation of Rwandan Asylum Seeker: An increasing number of Rwandan
asylum seekers continue to sign up for the voluntary return to their
home country. Until end of the reporting week, the total number of
returns stood at 5,206. The target figure for weekly returns is 2,000,
which corresponds to UNHCR and GTZ capacities on both sides on the
border. According to the governmental focal point for Rwandan asylum
seekers, at the current rate the status determination process including
repatriation and transfers could be concluded by end of August.

Agricultural season 2006B: The evaluation missions assessing the results
of the harvests of the 2006B agricultural seasons were concluded on 9
June. The final report will be published before the end of the month,
yet, preliminary findings showed that above average rains in April and
May have allowed for an overall good harvest compared to the same season
in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, the coffee harvest is also believed to
have improved significantly. Monitoring and evaluation has shown that
since May 2006 the number of households living on one meal per day has
also decreased. On the downside crop pests such as cassava mosaic have
had a more serious impact this year, particularly in the province of
Cibitoke.

Activities and Updates

Food Security:

FAO/Emergency Coordination Unit continued its livestock rehabilitation
programme. During the reporting week, the distribution of goats was
conducted for vulnerable households in Ruyigi (Butaganzwa, Bweru and
Nyabitsinda) and Ngozi (Kiremba, Marangara and Tangara). A total of 687
goats, i.e. 432 in Ruyigi and 255 in Ngozi, were distributed to target
populations.

FAO/ECU through its partners has completed the rehabilitation of 180 ha
of marshlands in Cankuzo, Ngozi and Muyinga. This programme will allow
for additional crop yield for agricultural season 2006B. The average
added crop yield is estimated at 4MT per ha. The programme will benefit
nearly 2,200 families particularly rice farmers.

Health: On 9 June, as part of efforts initiated by the Ministry of
Public Health and WHO to improve the management of emergency cases and
complications with maternal health care, the Minister of Public Health
launched the system of referrals in Rumonge (Bururi). Health centres
were given radio equipment and an ambulance was handed over to the
hospital of Rumonge to allow for quick transfer of patients to
hospitals. Ceremonies were attended by officials including Members of
Parliament, Representative from DFID, ECHO and UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF,
UNFPA, UNHCR and OCHA), provincial authorities and representatives of
NGOs operating in Bururi province. The reference system has already been
set up in Karuzi, Muyinga, Makamba and Ruyigi.

Food aid update: WFP distributed 425 Mt of food aid to 44,640
beneficiaries in the different programmes. WFP also extended the
programme of assistance to refugees and returnees to 2,402 Rwandan
Asylum Seekers who returned home.

Repatriation, reintegration: During the reporting week, UNHCR
facilitated the return of 335 Burundians; no spontaneous return was
registered. As of 10 June, UNHCR had repatriated 4,745 Burundian
refugees including 4,584 facilitated and 161 spontaneous. From 6 to 9
June, some 81 voluntary Burundian refugees from Tanzania went on a "Go
and See" visit to Ruyigi, Karuzi and Ngozi provinces in order to get a
better understanding of the conditions of return. Their first
impressions as regards reintegration efforts were positive. However,
they were concerned over certain issues such as food security,
education, and coexistence with former Internally Displaced Persons
(IDP) which they think might be amplified by the unequal treatment and
benefits provided to IDPs and returnees. According to the visiting
Burundian refugees, just like returnees IDPs should be assisted with
houses in order to facilitate comprehensive reintegration in the hills
of origin.

Child protection, emergency education: Through its Teacher Emergency
Programme (TEP), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) continues to assist
children of returnees and displaced persons in Kinyinya (Ruyigi) who
have passed the standard age of 7 years for first year enrolment and do
not attend primary schools. The goal is to ensure their reintegration
into the regular education system and to protect these vulnerable
children against risks such as recruitment as a child soldier, sexual
abuse (particularly of girls), banditry, drug addiction and illiteracy.
Besides contributing towards school fees, NRC provides free school
material for the teachers and for learners. A total of 1,322 pupils
including 654 girls are being schooled as part of this project before
they can join the regular schooling system.

Psycho-Social Assistance for Children: On 2 June the national NGO
FVS/AMADE (Famille pour Vaincre le SIDA/Association Amis des Enfants)
concluded a three-day training workshop aimed at improving psycho-social
assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children in Bujumbura Mairie.
Participants discussed engaging with traumatized children and
methodologies to be employed when providing psycho-social support.

Health, HIV/AIDS: With the support from FHI (Family Health
International) and in partnership with 7 national organizations (Caritas
Burundi, APECOS, CPAJ, RBP+, ABUBEF, ANSS), IMC has started an HIV/AIDS
project in Kirundo.

Security and Coordination

Security, Cibitoke and Bubanza: In Bukinanyana (Cibitoke), FNL rebels
reportedly ambushed a military patrol causing the death of 5 soldiers
and wounding 5 on 11 June. Planned food aid distributions were
consequently postponed. During the night of 4 to 5 June, four households
in Rugombo (Cibitoke) were looted by armed persons. Increased attacks
attributed to FNL movement were also reported in Musigati (Bubanza). On
5 June, FNL rebels allegedly shelled an FDN (National Defense Force)
military position in Muyebe (Musigati commune) - one FNL rebel was
killed, 3 soldiers wounded and households looted. On 7 June, household
items were stolen in another FNL attack in the Bitare area (Musigati).
Due to the =B7 insecurity subsequent to FNL attacks in this area, the
phenomenon of night displacement has resumed with around 800 families
from Bitare, Ruvyimvya and Masare collines who spend the night away from
their homes in search of safe areas. Armed banditry cases mostly
targeting traders were reported in Burundi's eastern province of
Cankuzo. On 5 June, unidentified armed bandits ambushed a taxi on the
road Ruyigi-Cankuzo; 3 traders were wounded and their money stolen.

Coordination:

OCHA held a coordination meeting on 7 June in order to address the issue
of land for the displaced persons in Rukaramu. Participants included the
Head of PARESI project, Bujumbura Rural authorities, WFP, an IDP
representative, and national NGOs (Scouts, Burundi Red Cross society,
JVSF, CPAJ and JAMAA) operating in the Mutimbuzi commune. The meeting
asked/recommended the administration authorities to identify an adequate
site to dig and make bricks; PARESI, to assess needs and determine
available resources; to OCHA to advocate on the project for the
mobilization of funds.

In order to respond to the influx of Burundians expelled from Tanzania
as illegal immigrants, OCHA participated to a meeting convened by the
Governor of Muyinga on 6 June to coordinate the humanitarian response
locally.

The Contact Group meeting was held on 7 June. UNMACC and its
implementing partner the NGO Fondation Suisse de Deminage (FSD)
presented preliminary findings of a comprehensive survey on the presence
of mines and unexploded ordinances in Burundi. A final report will be
presented in July.

Information management: OCHA held the monthly coordination meeting for
the Geographic information group (GIG) on 9 June.

The food security and nutrition group held its monthly meeting on 8
June.

For more information: Adelaide Habonimana, E-mail: habonimanaa@un.org,
Tel: (257) 910 196

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