OCHA Situation Report
Burundi Situation Report
18 - 24 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Activities and Updates

Update on Burundians Expelled from Tanzania: On 21st December, WFP, 
OCHA, Burundian Red Cross Society and the Governmental project for 
reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) met to discuss 
improvement of food aid distribution to expelled Burundians at Kinazi 
transit site and harmonization of statistics. From 11 to 22 December, 
PARESI reported 975 persons registered at Kinazi transit site. Since May 
till 26 December 2006, PARESI registered a total of 5,847 persons 
expelled from Tanzania.

Food security: Further to torrential rains which seriously damaged crops 
throughout the country FAO/Emergency and Coordination Unit, OCHA and WFP 
completed a three-day (19-21 December) rapid evaluation mission to 
assess the situation in Gitega and Ngozi provinces. Marshland crops were 
the most affected. These include beans, maize, sorghum, rice, potatoes 
and vegetables. It is estimated that agricultural season C crop harvests 
will subsequently be reduced by 50%. Bean crop which is one of the main 
food stuff for households was destroyed at about 80%. The mission 
recommended to actors involved in the food security sector to closely 
follow the evolution of food insecurity nationwide. Meanwhile, increase 
in the quantity of seeds and seed protection rations during season B 
2007 should be envisaged. Admissions in feeding services will also 
require close follow-up. On the market place, crop prices have started 
to rise as an immediate consequence of the lack or shortfall of basic 
crops. Some movement of the population towards other provinces such as 
Cibitoke and Bururi where they expect to earn money by providing labor 
was noted.

Evaluation of the distribution of emergency drugs: An evaluation of the 
distribution process for medical supplies provided by the European Union 
was completed by WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health 
throughout November. A final evaluation of the distribution is scheduled 
in January 2007. A total of 143 tons of medical supplies were donated to 
provide relief to 890 children under five years and 32,650 pregnant 
women. The drugs were distributed in health structures nationwide and 
will help address gaps after the Government's decision to make maternal 
health care and medical care for children under five years free of 
charge.

Repatriation: During the reporting period, UNHCR reported the return of 
976 Burundians including 27 spontaneous returnees who arrived in 
Makamba. In 2006, UNHCR has so far recorded 44,888 returns.

Coordination, Protection and Security

Health: The monthly coordination meeting was held on 19 December. 
Participants discussed the distribution in sanitary provinces of the 
third and last consignment of medical supplies donated by ECHO.

The cholera epidemic which was reported in southern and northern 
neighborhoods of the capital Bujumbura is not totally under control. 
Participants recommended in depth laboratory tests to check the status 
of the germ.

Bujumbura Rural: OCHA fielded a mission to Bugarama, Muhuta and Kabezi 
communes with the objective of assessing the accessibility, security and 
the humanitarian situation. On the security level, no fighting was 
reported on the ground. FNL combatants are reportedly present in some 
collines of Bujumbura Rural but no security incident inherent to their 
presence has been noted so far. However, they continue asking for food 
from the population who respond positively fearing retaliation. It 
should be noted that the already precarious food security situation will 
deteriorate. As a matter of fact, households are already facing a 
lack/shortage of food after crop pests destroyed cassava and banana 
plants.

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