OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
20 - 26 March 2006

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Repatriation of Burundian Refugees: The 9th meeting of the Tripartite
Commission on the Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees in
Tanzania was held on 20 and 21 March in Dar Es Salaam between the
Governments of Burundi and Tanzania and UNHCR. The delegations primarily
evaluated the repatriation operation over the last 9 months and plotted
the way forward. Conclusions which emerged from the meeting included
first and foremost the decision to shift from facilitation of returns to
promotion starting 20 June 2006. Secondly, it was decided that the
11,379 Burundian asylum seekers currently present in way stations in
Western Tanzania would be allowed to remain in the country on
humanitarian grounds and be granted asylum if they needed protection in
line with the 1951 Geneva Convention.

The meeting of the Tripartite Commission was held against the backdrop
of diminishing returnee movements into Burundi and an increased outpour
largely due to the grave food shortage in Eastern Burundi, incidentally
the principle area of return. Tanzania hosts the vast majority of
Burundian refugees who are still in exile. The total number of
Burundians in Tanzania is estimated to be around 400,000 of whom 198,000
live in refugee camps.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Health: MSF Holland announced closure of its programme in Ruyigi by the
end of June 2006 due to the gradual decrease in emergency needs. The
Health Transitional Support Project (PATSBU) supported by the European
Development Fund will end in June as well. The phase-out of MSF-Holland
activities in Ruyigi coupled with EDF project (PATSBU) will impact
negatively on the health situation for the local population as an
immediate result will be limited availability of medical staff and
medical supplies.

Nutrition: ACF issued its report of the nutritional evaluation which was
conducted in Cankuzo province from 27 December 2005 to 3 January 2006.
Findings revealed existence of moderate malnutrition in some areas of
Mishiha commune. To prevent cases of severe malnutrition, regular food
supply to supplementary feeding centres will be required.

HIV/AIDS: The Minister in charge of HIV/AIDS visited the provincial
council for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ruyigi on 23 March. She
recommended the introduction at provincial level of the programme on
prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: The registration of Rwandan asylum seekers in
the three sites of Musasa, Songore and Rwizuri started on 21 March. On
that day all asylum seekers were issued wristbands simultaneously in all
three sites which is a sort of pre-registration census. Thereafter a
process of individual registration, which is expected to last three
weeks, started. The issuing of wristbands showed that the number of
Rwandan asylum seekers was lower than extrapolations had indicated.
Whereas estimates were nearing 25,000, the actual number is in the area
of 18,500 Rwandans. The registration process will yield important
information about the asylum seekers such as biodata, zone of origin as
well as preliminary information about protection concerns which will
feed into the refugee status determination process, conducted jointly by
UNHCR and the Government of Burundi.

Food security: Tearfund continued the weeding of rice plants in the
marshland in Kirundo province. The organisation also continued the
mapping of existing local agricultural associations with whom they start
cooperation schemes.

Non Food Items: Further to torrential rains which destroyed crops and
houses communes of Muhuta (Bujumbura Rural) and Kanyosha (Bujumbura
Mairie) on 22 March, CRS provided non food items (NFI) to 478 families
in these communes. The aid was comprised of plastic sheeting, blankets,
jerry cans, soap and clothing material.

Torrential rains: During the reporting week, hail storm destroyed crops
in Musigati commune (Bubanza). Areas in Mpanda and Rugazi communes were
affected as well.

Food aid distribution: During the reporting period WFP distributed 963
MT of food to 152,450 beneficiaries through targeted food distributions
to vulnerable households. Another 387 MT went to 113,416 beneficiaries
through school feeding, HIV/AIDS programmes and nutrition programmes in
feeding centres.

Returnees: During the reporting week, UNHCR has facilitated the return
of 100 Burundian refugees. No spontaneous return was recorded. As of 26
March, UNHCR had registered 2,298 Burundians returning form exile, i.e.
2,145 facilitated and 153 spontaneous returnees since the beginning of
the year.

ACCESS, SECURITY AND PROTECTION

Access in Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces: No access
restriction to these provinces was encountered during the reporting
week. However, caution was recommended in Mutimbuzi commune (in areas
bordering the Rukoko natural reserve) and in Bugarama commune in
Bujumbura Rural due to presumed presence of FNL rebels.

Bubanza province: Due to the reported presence of FNL rebels in Kibira
forest, families living in areas nearby continued to flee their homes at
night and return home during the day. Some seek refuge with other
families, others spend the night at the parish of Musigati.

Bujumbura Rural: Violations of human rights continued to be reported in
this province where persons allegedly loyal to FNL movement were
arrested and/or killed. Perpetrators are reportedly either unidentified
persons or persons wearing military uniforms. On 20 March, a person was
killed in Muhuta and a body in advanced decay was found in Muyira Zone
(Kanyosha commune). In Kamenge (Bujumbura Mairie) a woman was wounded in
a grenade explosion when commotion broke out as an armed policeman was
caught stealing a bicycle. A secondary school pupil was shot dead in
Buterere neighbourhood. In Bubanza (Kagwema area), armed bandits broke
into ten houses on 22 March.

COORDINATION

Water and sanitation: The sectoral coordination meeting was held on 21
March in Bujumbura. The agenda included evaluation of the current
situation and ongoing activities. The current situation is marked by
structural challenges in that water infrastructures have either been
demolished or have not been maintained for years.

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

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