OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
9 - 15 October 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Update on seed distributions: The distribution of seeds and tools was 
concluded over the reporting week which means that the deadlines for the 
preparation of the agricultural season 2007A were fully met. FAO 
Emergency Rehabilitation and Coordination Unit, in collaboration with 
national and international NGOs (35) and the provincial agricultural 
department (DPAE) assisted a total of 238,311 vulnerable families 
nationwide. It should be noted that 8,408 vulnerable families were 
assisted through seed voucher campaigns which were organized in Gishubi 
(Gitega), Vugizo and Mabanda (Makamba), Nyabihanga (Mwaro), Kinyinya and 
Butezi (Ruyigi).

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania:  A 
significant increase in the number of Burundians expelled from Tanzania 
was noted over the reporting week. Between 9 and 15 October, the 
Government''s project for repatriation and reintegration (PARESI) 
reported 233 new arrivals at the Kinazi transit centre (Muyinga 
province). All of them were assisted with food aid from stocks provided 
by WFP and transferred to their colline of origin. Additionally another 
1,221 arrived over the weekend (14 and 15 October) and PARESI initiated 
verification procedures to avoid cases of fraud. In order to meet 
increasing assistance needs, WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR are currently 
processing requests for additional food rations and non-food items 
respectively. The Burundian Red Cross, the Norwegian Refugee Council, 
and CRS also continued to provide assistance on the ground.

Cholera outbreak: Reports of suspected cholera cases in commune of 
Bujumbura-Mairie were received and followed up on by the Ministry of 
Public Health and WHO. At the end of the reporting period conclusive 
statistics were not available. However, localized cholera outbreaks must 
be expected and prepared for as part of seasonal problems regarding 
potable water.

Congolese Repatriation: Congolese refugees from Gasorwe camp (Muyinga) 
continued to return home. Over the reporting period, UNHCR registered 
another 309 candidates for repatriation through a second convoy.

Refugee returns: Over the reporting period, UNHCR reported the return of 
2,082 Burundian refugees mainly from Tanzania (1,763) and DRC (165). 
Some 15 spontaneous returnees arrived through the entry point of Mabanda 
(Makamba). Since the beginning of 2006, a total of 30,232 refugees have 
returned to Burundi.

  Rwandan Asylum Seekers: During the week under review, UNHCR organized a 
convoy for 100 persons. Since the beginning of the repatriation 
operation in April, 14,058 Rwandans have returned home. As of 15 
October, 4,810 remain in Musasa site in Ngozi province.

Child journalists training: On 8 October, a group of 14 youngsters newly 
trained in journalism were granted a one hour-interview by the Burundian 
President Pierre Nkurunziza. President Nkurunziza, who promised to 
support the training of young journalists nationwide, praised Search for 
Common Ground, UNICEF and ONUB for training the youngsters. He further 
noted that the first policies announced by his government were in favour 
of children. He said shortcomings in the free health care for children 
under five and free primary education were being addressed.

UNICEF health promotion: With the objective to support health promotion, 
hygiene education and water and sanitation in the provinces of Ruyigi, 
Cankuzo and Rutana, UNICEF handed over 30 motorcycles and 200 bicycles 
to the Government of Burundi on 4 October 2006.

Protection of vulnerable children: Supported by Trocaire, the national 
NGO Famille pour Vaincre le SIDA (FVS) held training sessions on 
children's rights targeting local community representatives in Makebuko 
(Gitega province). The training aimed at capacity building with regard 
to the protection of orphans and other vulnerable children. In order to 
ensure psycho-social rehabilitation of traumatized children, FVS 
conducted follow-up activities in Gishubi, Buraza, Nyarusange and Itaba, 
which are among the most war-affected communes. This activity is carried 
out in collaboration with primary school teachers in said communes.

COORDINATION, PROTECTION

UNDAF: United Nations agencies in Burundi and ONUB attended a two-day 
workshop (11-12 Oct) to revise the current UN Development Assistance 
Framework (UNDAF) document in order to align its priorities to the 
objectives of the Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). 
This UNDAF will now cover the period from 2007 to 2009.

Contact Group: On 10 October, OCHA held an exceptional Contact Group 
meeting to introduce and brief the new Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr 
Youssef Mahmoud.

Provincial coordination: On 11 and 12 October, provincial coordination 
meetings were held in Ruyigi and Gitega respectively. Participants in 
both meetings essentially exchanged on issues in food security, 
education and health sector.

On 12 October, OCHA conducted a humanitarian mission to Cibitoke 
province in the communes of Buganda and Rugombo. The mission assessed 
humanitarian access and the progress made in the construction of houses 
for returnees in Kamakara and Buganda. Regarding the latter, activities 
were completed under a WFP Food-for-Work project in collaboration with 
the governmental reintegration project (PARESI).

Security: Cases of banditry and theft were reported in Ciya colline, 
Muramba zone in Bubanza which caused night displacements. The activities 
are blamed on rebels from the FNL splinter group of Jean-Bosco 
Sindayigaya who were not party to the ceasefire agreement signed in 
September.

At the same time, around 600 former combatants of the FNL of Agathon 
Rwasa attempted to escape from the assembly site in Randa on 14 October 
where they had been cantoned as part of the ceasefire agreement. The 
reason given for the escape attempt was the delay in the implementation 
of the ceasefire agreement in terms of reintegration into the national 
defense force (FDN) and police.

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