OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
30 January - 5 February 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Food Security Situation: The preliminary results of the crop and food
assessment which was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock, FAO/Emergency Coordination Unit, UNICEF, WFP and OCHA
indicated a reduction by 12% in food production in comparison with the
same season in 2005 which had already been low. The main reasons are (a)
climatic disturbances (b) crop diseases and (c) limited land access. The
most affected areas are plains in Northern and Eastern Burundi.

In order to assist the increasing number of vulnerable families FAO
(Emergency Coordination Unit) in collaboration with its partners will
distribute seeds to 436,994 households for the agricultural season 2006B
starting this month. Due to erratic rains, the seed distributions will
be organized earlier than usual.

WFP will double its efforts over the next six months and distribute
70,000 MT to approximately 1,800,000 beneficiaries through its partners.
Food assistance is provided in coordination with FAO seed distribution
efforts in order to ensure an improved harvest in June.

Further to a call by the Government of Burundi for national solidarity
with victims of food insecurity nationwide, Burundi Red Cross has
started collecting food aid which will be distributed to the most
vulnerable.

GTZ/APRS also assisted some 300 families in Nyabitsinda (Ruyigi) commune
with a seeds kit comprised of beans, potatoes, vegetable seeds,
fertilizers, livestock, two hoes and cassava cuttings as part of its
social reintegration programme.

Reintegration of children affected by armed conflict: On 5 February
2006, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Rima Salah, and the French
Foreign Minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy concluded a one day visit to
Burundi. At a press conference, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Rima
Salah, revealed that they are to submit a report on 21 February 2006 to
the UN Working Group on the situation of children affected by the armed
conflict in Burundi. In a joint statement issued on 5 February, both
described the on-going reintegration of demobilized child soldiers and
the consolidation of peace in Burundi as encouraging. Between 2004 and
2005, UNICEF and its partners supported the government in the
demobilization of 3,013 child soldiers who have been reintegrated into
their home or foster communities. They are still being assisted through
back-to-school initiatives, vocational training and family-based
assistance to set up small trades.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Health - Cholera update: Humanitarian actors are still having to face
several cholera outbreaks:

In Rumonge since the outbreak in October 2005, 417 cases (6 deaths) were
reported with 11 still hospitalized as of the beginning of the reporting
period. Four neighborhoods in the town of Rumonge are the most affected
areas in that commune.

WHO reported that 3 persons had died of cholera in Bujumbura Mairie in
the last week of January. Further to an official request made by the
Ministry of Health, MSF-B reopened its treatment centre in Kamenge on 4
February. 5 patients were transferred to the centre immediately and
another 2 admitted on 6 February.

Torrential Rains: On 30 January 304 houses, 2 classrooms and 2 churches
were destroyed by torrential rains in Gatumba zone (Bujumbura-Rural). 1
person died when a house collapsed and another 5 were injured.
Provincial authorities, UNICEF and OCHA conducted a rapid assessment on
2 Februray. CRS provided non-food items which were distributed by UNICEF
on 3 February.

Returnees:

During the reporting period, UNHCR has repatriated 191 returnees
including 189 facilitated and 2 spontaneous. As of 5 February, UNHCR had
registered 958 returnees including 940 facilitated and 18 spontaneous
returns.

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: The number of Rwandan asylum seekers in Northern
Burundi has risen to 9,577 (8,300 of whom are registered) as of 3
Februray. 5,200 are already sheltered in Musasa site (Ngozi province)
but the influx continues at a rate of 50-80 per day. ONUB engineers
completed the preparation of the extension site and construction of new
hangars was ongoing. People in Mugano (Muyinga province) and some in
Rwisuri (Kirundo province) will be transferred to Musasa during the week
starting 6 February. This will reduce number of sites where Rwandan
asylum seekers are sheltered temporarily from 4 to 3.

Non Food Items (NFI): CRS distributed non-food items to 2,208 vulnerable
households in Mabayi, Buganda and Murwi communes (Cibitoke).  Further
assistance was delivered to 1,241 families from the Batwa community
through local association of Batwa for the development of voluntaries
(ABADEV) in Cibitoke.

Nutrition: The number of malnourished persons in Ruyigi rose
significantly due to the prevailing food shortage. As of 31 January, 92
patients were registered in the therapeutic feeding centre (TFC). ACF
was conducting a nutritional survey in Ruyigi and Cankuzo provinces to
get a better understanding of the gravity of the situation.

Water and Sanitation: With the financial support from UNHCR, IRC has
handed over 16 latrines (which can be emptied and reused) to Murehe and
Bwihaniza primary schools in Gisuru and 18 more to Kabanga, Nyamigina
and Ruveri in Kinyinya (all in Ruyigi province). IRC has further set up
hygiene clubs in those schools and delivered material to promote
hygiene.

Habitat: UNHCR has received funding which will enable the agency to
provide iron sheets for 2,158 houses for returnees in Cankuzo and Ruyigi
province. The houses had not been completed in 2005 due to a shortfall
in funds.

ACCESS, PROTECTION AND SECURITY

Assistance to IDPs: Following a rain storm which hit the IDP site in
Makebuko in late January, OCHA distributed plastic sheeting and Non Food
Items provided by UNICEF to 65 affected households in Makebuko (Gitega)
during the reporting period..

Incidents: On 30 January a car heading to Gitega from Cankuzo was
ambushed in Bweru Commune (Ruyigi). Four passengers aboard the vehicle
were wounded in a grenade explosion.

COORDINATION

The monthly Contact Group meeting was held on 1 February chaired by
OCHA. FAO (Emergency Coordination Unit) presented the results of the
joint evaluation of the 2006A season.

For more information:

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

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