OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
13 - 19 November 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Activities and Updates

Mengitis outbreak: Cases of meningitis were reported in Gitega province.
Since the first suspected cases were reported in October, health
authorities have recorded a total of 16 cases including 13 from health
centres and 3 in the main health facility of Gitega. Three cases of
death were reported. Samples submitted for laboratory investigation
confirmed the disease. WHO indicated that the situation was under
control and that epidemiological surveillance mechanisms had been
reinforced in order to avoid deterioration of the situation.

Food security: Supported by ECHO, FAO/Emergency Rehabilitation and
Coordination Unit (ERCU) continued to produce cassava types resistant to
the severe mosaic disease. During the reporting period, in collaboration
with provincial department of agriculture and Livestock (DPAE), and
partner NGOs, FAO/ERCU collected cuttings to be planted in the
multiplication site. Farmers' associations involved in the
multiplication of the mosaic resistant cassava type are supervised by
DPAE and NGOs. This activity started end of October and will last till
early December 2006. By 17 November, half of the planned activities had
been achieved.

As part of efforts to repel/prevent the BXW banana disease which is
spreading quickly, participants recommended that FAO/ERCU in
collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock start
nationwide awareness raising sessions as soon as possible.

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania:  Over the
reporting period, 139 Burundians expelled from Tanzania arrived and were
registered at Kinazi site in Muyinga. PARESI, the governmental
reintegration project supported by UNHCR, ensured the transport of all
the new arrivals to their communes of origin.  In order to address the
issue of fraudulent cases, PARESI continues to distribute return kits at
the communes of origin except for persons originating from remote
provinces. The delivered assistance comprising food and non food items
is provided by WFP and UNICEF through PARESI. On its end, supported by
German Red Cross, Burundi Red Cross Society delivers wet food rations to
persons at Kinazi site including the 49 'homeless' persons. However,
further to the high risk of duplication, new modalities for assistance
should be discussed among partners. Since May 2006, about 4,100 persons
have gone through Kinazi transit site. Only 28 arrived through Mugina
(Makamba) in June and unknown number through Mishiha (Cankuzo).

Update on cholera outbreak:  Despite occurrence of new cases in
Bujumbura Rural (5) and Bujumbura Mairie (5), the cholera situation is
less concerning. As of 16 November 2006, WHO reported 110 cases in
Bujumbura-Rural, 250 in Bujumbura-Mairie and 7 in Cibitoke. One case of
death has been registered so far. A significant decrease in new cases
can be expected in the coming days.

Refugee returns: UNHCR reported the return of 1,568 Burundian refugees.
Since the beginning of the year, 38,671 refugees have returned to
Burundi.

Update on Rwandan Asylum Seekers: 879 persons from Musasa site were
repatriated to their home country over the last week. There remain
around 2,600 in the site. Since repatriation started in April, UNHCR has
facilitated the repatriation of 15,917.

Water and sanitation: International Rescue Committee (IRC) handed over a
water adduction which will serve inhabitants of Mutambu and Kabezi
communes in Bujumbura Rural. On the whole, 14 taps have been installed
in both communes. This will contribute to improvement of access to
clean/potable water and therefore increase hygiene on household level in
these two communes which are often affected by cholera outbreak.

Coordination, Protection and Security

Coordination:

The Contact Group meeting was held on 15 November. The Humanitarian
Coordinator, Youssef Mahmoud, briefed participants on the mandate of the
United Nations Integrated Office to Burundi ?BINUB, which will replace
ONUB starting the 1st of January 2007.

Tshe monthly meeting of the food security and nutrition group was held
on 17 November. An increase of admissions in supplementary feeding
centers in Kirundo and Muyinga provinces was noted, with 70% being
children under-five. In order to get updated data, partners agreed on
the organization of a nutritional survey in most affected communes no
later than end November-early December. UNICEF will finalise discussions
with its partners.

OCHA fielded two humanitarian missions in Mutambu and Mutimbuzi communes
to assess the security situation, geographical access and the
humanitarian situation in general. The local authorities advised that
the security situation is satisfactory despite alleged increased
presence of Palipehutu-FNL combatants reported in three collines.

Access: Due to poor road conditions subsequent to the current rains,
caution was recommended to actors in Mutambu (Bujumbura Rural). Areas
like Rutongo cannot be accessed by car.

Security: Increasing cases of armed banditry continue to be reported in
Bubanza. On 12 November, a group of armed persons believed to be
Palipehutu-FNL combatants staged an attack on households in Mpanda and
stole livestock and mobile phones.

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -