OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
6 - 12 November 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Activities and Updates

Health, distribution of medical kits: UNICEF has completed dispatching
the obstetric surgical kits to provincial health offices. The
distribution to health centres will be completed by the Ministry of
Health supported by WHO and NGOs operating in the health sector. These
medical kits are part of the second shipment of medical supplies which
were purchased with funds from the European Union via ECHO, and UNICEF
in support of the decision by the Burundian Government to make
healthcare for children under-five years and pregnant women free of
charge.

Food security: Over the reporting week, OCHA, WFP and FAO/Emergency
Rehabilitation and Coordination Unit organized a two-day rapid
assessment mission (7-8 Nov) in Kirundo and Muyinga upon reports of food
insecurity in both provinces. This assessment included the communes of
Giteranyi (Muyinga), Bugabira and Busoni (Kirundo) in Bugesera natural
region which is most affected by food insecurity situation. On household
level there are no food stocks and families have to rely on various
coping mechanisms such as having one meal per day. The mission concluded
that, though difficult, the situation is not alarming when compared with
last year at the same period. The situation may however deteriorate
during November till end January 2007 for families with no access to
marshland crops.

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania:  Burundians
expelled from Tanzania arrived in Muyinga and Cankuzo provinces. During
the week under review, around 100 Burundians were registered at Kinazi
transit centre (Muyinga). In Cankuzo, local authorities reported arrival
of persons whose number remains unknown as no
registration/identification had been conducted yet. In efforts to
provide assistance to these vulnerable persons, UNICEF through
Solidarites distributed Non Food Items to 686 persons. However, the risk
of fraudulent cases remains high due to poor control mechanisms and lack
of registration structure in Cankuzo. Moreover, on the food security
level, the situation may worsen as the new arrivals are hosted by
families whose food security situation is already precarious.

Update on cholera outbreak: Decrease in the number of new cholera cases
was noted over the reporting week, in Bujumbura Rural (2 cases) and in
Bujumbura Mairie (14). As of 12 November, the total records were 245
cases in Kabezi, and Mutambu (Bujumbura Rural) and 105 in Bujumbura
Mairie. Meanwhile, though not in significant figures, the trend is on
the rise in Cibitoke province where 3 new cases were recorded, which
brings to 7 the number of cholera cases since the beginning of the
outbreak. Affected communes include Rugombo, Buganda and Cibitoke. Only
one case of death was reported so far. In order to reinforce
preparedness capacities in case of a cholera outbreak in Rumonge
(Bururi) and Nyanza-Lac (Makamba), areas which are usually affected,
actors in these provinces including - Health provincial authorities,
CORDAID, IRC, UNHCR and OCHA - met on 9 November to review progress
made. While waiting for provision by UNICEF of lacking items (aqua tabs,
soap, jerry cans, bladder and chlorine) to reinforce prevention, the
administration authorities were requested to reopen the water tap which
had been closed by the communal water management unit, to allow access
to clean water for around 4,500 persons from Mugerama village.


Refugee returns: Over the reporting week, UNHCR assisted the return of
2,217 Burundian refugees from Tanzania. Since the beginning of the year,
a total of 37,103 refugees have returned to Burundi.

Update on Rwandan Asylum Seekers: Over the reporting week, 488 persons
were repatriated to their home country. Since the beginning of return
process, a total 15,038 have returned and another 145who had been
recognized as refugees were transferred to the refugee camp in Giharo
(Rutana). There are 3,487 persons remaining at Musasa site.

SGBV: Supported by MSF-Belgium, actors against sexual gender-based
violence (SGBV) in Makamba met on 9 November with the objective of
reinforcing the network for psycho-social assistance to sexual violence
victims. Additionally, MSF-B provides assistance in training and
follow-up support for 2 health centres in Nyanza-Lac and Kayogoro. Since
April till September, Health authorities and local human rights
association APRODH have recorded 69 sexual violence victims. Meanwhile,
shortage in medicines against of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted
infections (STI) was reported.

Sensitization against HIV/AIDS for Congolese refugees: Supported by
UNHCR, HealthNet TPO organized a one-week training session (6-10 Nov)
for Congolese refugees sheltered in Gihinga camp (Mwaro). The training
focused on several themes including youth and AIDS, prevention,
mother-to-child transmission, and voluntary screening.

Coordination, Protection and Security

Security: Despite gradual security improvement in Bujumbura Rural, local
authorities reported several cases of banditry mainly in the communes of
Mutimbuzi and Bugarama. In Kanyosha and Nyabiraba communes,
Palipehutu-FNL combatants allegedly continue to collect money or in kind
contribution from the population.

Human rights violations: Additional bodies of dead persons were found on
the banks of Ruzizi river in Gatumba area in Mutimbuzi (Bujumbura
Rural). Since the first bodies were found on 19 October, local
authorities have recorded 12 bodies. No further details on the identity
or the cause of death have been provided so far. In Rugombo commune
(Cibitoke), a person accused of sorcery was reportedly killed by his
neighbors on 12 November.

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

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