OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
29 May - 4 June 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Rwandan Asylum Seeker returns: Voluntary returns continued to be
registered. Over the reporting week, 1,800 Rwandans returned.
Additionally, approximately 6,000 persons have expressed their
willingness to return. The process for the refugee status determination
continued. In order to improve hygiene conditions for asylum seekers,
NRC and IRC completed the construction of additional showers and
latrines in Songore.

Evaluation of Harvests: Joint evaluations of harvests at the end of the
2006B agricultural season started during the reporting week. Evaluations
are conducted by FAO, OCHA, UNICEF, WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The final report is expected towards the end of June.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Food aid update: Over the week under review, WFP distributed 887 MT of
food aid to 138,416 beneficiaries. In coordination with Burundian
authorities, WFP started distributions to flood affected persons through
targeted distributions. Additional vulnerable persons in their area from
whom the distributions were initially planned will also benefit from the
allotted assistance. To this end, the government will contribute 2,000
Mt this specific activity. During the week, Food-for-Work project staff
validated publicly the list of workers for six projects to be executed
in Cankuzo province. The projects will contribute to seeds
multiplication, swamp and road rehabilitation.

Food Security: FAO/Emergency Coordination Unit (FAO/ECU) continued its
programme aimed at livestock rehabilitation which started last year with
the distribution of goats. During the reporting week, 399 goats were
distributed to 133 families in Cankuzo province. Another 92 vulnerable
families (mainly returnees) from Gitaramuka and Buhiga communes in
Karuzi received a total of 276 goats, each family receiving 3 goats. The
distribution of goats was also completed in Rutana and Makamba provinces
(627 goats) and is envisaged in Ruyigi, Muyinga and Ngozi. Beneficiaries
will also receive a veterinary kit and some nutrients.

Impact of Torrential Rains and Floods: In close cooperation with
national and provincial authorities OCHA, FAO, WFP and UNICEF continued
to verify the preliminary findings regarding the damages incurred due to
heavy rains. No conclusive report could be presented since the
difference between initial estimates made by local authorities and
actual verification findings remained high. This required additional
follow up to determine the needs which will be the basis for a
coordinated response.

Repatriation, reintegration: Over the reporting week, UNHCR facilitated
the return of 348 Burundians. No spontaneous return was registered.
Since the beginning of 2006, UNHCR has repatriated a total of 4,410
returnees including 4,249 facilitated and 161 spontaneous.

SECURITY AND COORDINATION

Security: Heavy gunfire was heard in Gihosha neighbourhood (Bujumbura
Mairie). FDN spokesperson attributed the attack to FNL rebels. On 31
May, three FNL rebels were reportedly killed during an FDN patrol in
Rugazi (Bubanza). On 1 June, FNL movement led an attack at Bitare
colline in Muyebe (Musigati). This resulted in several households
looted, four persons abducted, one person killed and another one
wounded.  These clashes take place against the background of
negotiations between the Government of Burundi and the FNL-PALIPEHUTU
movement which started on 29 May in Dar-es-Salaam facilitated by the
South African Government.

Access: No restrictions were reported over the week despite the alleged
presence of FNL rebels in Kabezi and Muhuta communes (Bujumbura Rural).

Human rights violations: Arrest of persons accused of collaborating with
the FNL movement were reported in Nyabiraba and Bugarama communes in
Bujumbura Rural.

Coordination:

- In preparation of the 2006 Consolidated Appeal (CHAP/CAP) Mid Year
Review, OCHA held a workshop on 29 May 2006. Participants (around 70)
including the National Aid Coordinating Committee (CNCA), UN agencies,
donors, national and international NGOs.

- The provincial coordination meeting was held on 30 May in Ngozi.
Participants discussed sectoral humanitarian situation - protection,
health, food security, habitat, education, rehabilitation, reinsertion
and reintegration of the community.

- A coordination meeting organised by OCHA on 1 June bringing together
actors intervening in the area of internal displacement. The meeting was
attended by a representative of the OCHA Internal Displacement Division
based in Geneva (Switzerland).

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

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