OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
27 March - 2 April 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Burundian asylum seekers return: Further to the meeting of the
Tripartite Commission, a cross-border follow-up meeting was held between
the Governments of Burundi and Tanzania as well as UN agencies (WFP,
UNHCR, FAO, UNICEF, UNDP and OCHA) on 31 March in Ruyigi. Participants
elaborated on the conclusions of the Tripartite Commission and
established a calendar for the return of the 12,000 Burundi Asylum
Seekers. The repatriation process was scheduled to start on 3 April, and
distribution of a one month food package scheduled on 5 April. A
significant number of asylum seekers, however, were leaving the
waystations in Tanzania on 1 and 2 April already.

Emergency response to drought: Due to unseasonably few rainfalls towards
the end of last year, FAO/ECU delivered 30 pedal water pumps to farmer
associations from Busoni commune in December 2005. This is part of a
larger programme to combat drought and effects thereof in Burundi's
Northern Province of Kirundo. Beneficiaries included Rweru and Cohoha
lakeside residents who are among the most affected by more than three
years of drought. During the reporting week, FAO confirmed that the
system had produced promising results despite prevailing problems with
rainfalls. This new system has enabled watering of crop fields which had
resulted in promising harvests of maize and vegetable harvest.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: The registration of Rwandan asylum seekers was
completed on 1 April. The number of asylum seekers dropped to 19,242 in
the three sites (Musasa - 10,062; Songore - 4,781, Rwisuri - 4,399) from
the extrapolated 25,000. The refugee status determination process will
continue. During the reporting week, extension of the site continued
with the construction of 40 hangars.

Non Food Items (NFI), Bujumbura Rural: CRS completed distribution of NFI
to 89 households who had returned from exile to Rukaramu (Mutimbuzi
commune) and 44 displaced families from Sororezo in Muyira Zone
(Kanyosha commune).

Congolese refugees: UNHCR in collaboration with Burundian Immigration
and local authorities to complete the registration of Congolese refugees
in order to transfer them to Gasorwe camp. To this end, UNHCR
transferred the refugees from UNHCR main office in Bujumbura back to
Cibitoke province where they entered Burundi in order to comply with
formal registration procedures pending transfer to a refugee camp.

Food security: With regard to agriculture rehabilitation, FAO (Emergency
Coordination Unit) distributed 399 goats to 133 vulnerable families
including returnees from Kayogoro and Nyanza-Lac communes (Makamba).
Each family received 3 goats. Further distributions have been scheduled
for Rutana, Ruyigi, Cankuzo, Muyinga, Ngozi and Karuzi provinces. As
part of follow up strategy, a vet kit will be delivered as well.

Food aid distribution: WFP distributed 1,815 MT of food aid to 243,826
beneficiaries. Meanwhile, another collection of food aid was completed
in Bujumbura Rural as part of the national solidarity effort. About 30
MT of food aid was collected and distributed to most affected persons in
Bugabira commune (Kirundo) over the reporting week.

Returnees: During the reporting week, UNHCR has facilitated the return
of 253 refugees. No spontaneous return was recorded. As of 3 April,
UNHCR had registered 2,551 Burundians returning form exile, i.e. 2,398
facilitated and 153 spontaneous returnees.

Water and sanitation: The international NGO Austrian Relief Programme
(ARP) embarked upon a joint programme with the government owned water
company (REGIDESO). The programme aims at improving access to potable
water in Rugombo commune (Cibitoke). New water points were opened in
areas with poor or no access to water.

ACCESS, SECURITY AND PROTECTION

Access in Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces: During the
reporting week, access to the communes of Bujumbura Rural was possible
except for some areas in Mutimbuzi, Kabezi and Muhuta communes bordering
with Rukoko and Kibira forests due to reported FNL rebels presence. On
27 March, clashes were reported between FDN and FNL rebels in Muhuta
commune causing the death of one FNL rebel and the capture of two more.

Bubanza province: Residents from Musigati commune continue to spend the
night outside their houses fearing attacks presumably by FNL.

Human rights violations: Violations continued to be reported in
Bujumbura Rural over the reporting period.  Four FNL members and one
person accused of collaboration with the National Defense Forces (FDN)
were killed allegedly by FNL rebels. Another person was killed for the
same reason in Muhuta commune.

Increasing cases of armed banditry in Bubanza, Cibitoke and Bujumbura
Rural. On 26 March, people wearing military uniforms looted 3 households
in Kabezi commune (Bujumbura Rural). On the same day, money was stolen
in 5 households in Rugombo commune (Cibitoke). On 1 April, 11 households
were affected in Gihungwe area, Gihanga commune (Bubanza) as armed
bandits broke in and stole food, livestock, and household items.

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

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