OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
17 - 23 April 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: Further to the registration of Rwandan asylum
seekers in March, a total of 19,424 were reported to be in the three
sites of Rwisuri, Musasa and Songore. Of the 1,249 who underwent refugee
status determination (RSD), 50 were accepted and transferred to Giharo
refugee camp (Rutana province) and all but 10 cases decided to enter the
appeals process. Over the reporting week, UNHCR repatriated 102
Rwandans. Moreover, several hundred departed spontaneously since the
announcement of the first RSD results. No new arrivals were registered.

Congolese Refugees: On 21 April UNHCR suspended its activities at
Gasorwe camp in Burundi's northeastern province of Muyinga after
protests in the camp turned violent. The skirmish started on 17 April
when a family was found to be Burundian and consequently was refused
refugee status. Refugees started protesting on their behalf laying siege
to the UNHCR office. UNHCR announced that it would restart activities
only if the Burundian authorities could restore order. By the end of the
reporting week activities remained suspended.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Education: In Bujumbura Rural, administration authorities are concerned
about unmet needs in the education sector. They fear that the beginning
of the next school year (2006-7) this September could be hampered by
lack a significant shortfall in infrastructures and teachers.

Food security: Throughout the reporting week, Tearfund carried out the
distribution of beans as supplementary food and seed protection rations
to 4,057 households in Kigoma, Bugabira and Mugendo sectors in Ntega
commune (Kirundo province). Each household received 20kg of beans. With
a view to its planned withdrawal from Kirundo by the end of May,
Tearfund continued discussions with other NGOs regarding the future of
farmer associations and its staff. During the reporting week,
FAO/Emergency Coordination Unit launched activities aimed at
rehabilitating the fishery infrastructures in Burundi. These activities
include team fishing equipment which was destroyed during the conflict.

According to local authorities in Bujumbura Rural, the harvests in June
could suffer from an unidentified bean and soya-bean pest which was
reported in Maramvya Zone in Mutimbuzi commune. Furthermore, excessive
rains could also cause a slight decrease in harvests in that province.

Reintegration assistance: As part of its efforts to assist Burundians
returning from exile and internal displacement to their colline of
origin, UNHCR handed over to Burundian authorities a total of 7,100
houses, 14 schools and 5 health centres in the provinces Ruyigi, Gitega
and Cankuzo on 25 April. Ceremonies which took place at Kabuyenge in
Gisuru commune (Ruyigi) were attended by the Minister of National
Solidarity, Gender and Human Rights, Francoise Ngendahayo, and the UNHCR
Deputy Representative, Valentin Tapsoba.  Moreover, during the reporting
period, validation seminars were held in five provinces (Karuzi,
Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Rutana and Makamba) to approve the UNDP PRRSLP
(Programme de Reintegration, Rehabilitation des Sinistres et de Lutte
contre la Pauvrete) plan for these provinces. The meetings were attended
by the Ministry for National Solidarity, the respective governors and
the UNDP Resident Coordinator. The plans are intended to build upon
thematic coordination groups and PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper)
consultations. Priority sectors include food security, education,
health, habitat, water and sanitation and cross-cutting issues such as
HIV/AIDS, gender and conflict resolution).

Water/Sanitation: In a bid to improve the quality of drinking water in
Makamba province, the national NGO PSI (Population Sante Information)
launched a water treatment product known as "Sure Eau". Provincial
health staff was trained on the use and marketing of the product. In
Bujumbura Rural, the lack of clean water is a concern particularly in
Isale commune due to the breakdown of the existing water system which
requires long-term financial commitments in order to be repaired.
Internal displaced persons (IDPs) from Kigezi (Isale) are among the most
affected.

Shelter/NFI: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had fled insecurity
more than ten years ago and who returned to their homes in Nyabunyegeri,
Tenga, Gahahe, Gatunguru and Gasenyi in Mutimbuzi commune (Bujumbura
Rural) are facing difficulties with their housing. They are in urgent
need of roofing material after having reconstructed the walls of their
former houses which had been destroyed during the conflict. The same
situation prevails in Isale commune where around 200 returning families
are staying in the unfinished structures or their former homes.

Food aid distribution: Over the reporting period, WFP assisted 208,203
beneficiaries with 1,745 MT of food aid. Tearfund, WFP partner delivered
over 295 MT food aid to 37,500 beneficiaries in Rutana province. A
15-day food ration comprised of cereals, leguminous crops and vegetable
oil was provided to persons from the communes of Mpinga Kayove and
Giharo.

Nutrition: Tearfund continued targeted nutrition activities in Mabanda
commune: Cooking demonstrations and nutritional education sessions were
organized in several areas including Budaketwa, Nyamugari, Bikobe,
Musenyi and Buvuga.

Returnees: During the reporting week, UNHCR did not register any
returns. The number of Burundians returning from exile for 2006 remains
at 2,802 including facilitated and spontaneous returns.

COORDINATION, ACCESS, PROTECTION AND SECURITY

Humanitarian access: OCHA conducted humanitarian missions to Bujumbura
Rural and Cibitoke provinces in order to assess the situation regarding
security and humanitarian access. Despite the reported presence of FNL
rebels on the border between Mubimbi (Bujumbura Rural) and Rugazi
(Bubanza) communes, activities were completed in both provinces without
restrictions. Access is rather hampered by poor road conditions in these
areas.

Security in Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke: Caution was
recommended in Mutimbuzi commune neigbouring the Rukoko natural reserve
and Gihanga town in Bubanza province after reports of FNL presence in
several areas including Mubimbi, Kanyosha (Bujumbura Rural) and Rugazi
(Bubanza). On 18 April, FNL rebels reportedly looted 24 households and 3
shops in a village in Gihanga commune (Bubanza province) stealing 18
bicycles, goats, money, mobile phones and food. Cases of armed banditry
were reported in Gatumba zone (Mutimbuzi commune - Bujumbura Rural),
Rugazi and Musigati communes (Bubanza province).

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

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