OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
28 August - 3 September 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

UNICEF assists vulnerable women in Karuzi and Ruyigi: Over the last week 
of August 2006, UNICEF and the local faith-based association Mother's 
Union of Gitega distributed Non Food Items kits (including blankets, 
loincloth, soap, mosquito net, plate and cup) in Karuzi and Ruyigi to 
assist 360 households headed by widows or disabled persons. Mother's 
Union is an association working with vulnerable people committed to 
organise themselves in cooperatives and agricultural associations in 
order to become selfsufficient, and to provide their children with a 
basis for development.

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania: Since 
Tanzanian authorities started expelling Burundians who had not legally 
regularized their stay in late May 2006, PARESI (the Governmental 
reintegration project) has registered 2,172 persons (995 families). They 
originate from 12 different provinces in Burundi and virtually all of 
them were transported back to their collines of origin already. It 
should be noted that the influx has considerably diminished. The 
Government continues to provide food assistance to the few persons 
remaining at the Kinazi site through PARESI. Further assistance will be 
envisaged in the areas of origin and will be provided through the 
regular food and seeds programmes respectively run by WFP and 
FAO/Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit (ERCU). On their 
side, CRS and the Burundi National Red Cross society will look into the 
possibility of providing assistance in terms of shelter and non food 
items to these persons in their areas of origin. It is worth noting that 
the number of Burundians living in Tanzania without having regularized 
their stay is believed to be close to 200,000 persons.

Food security: Over the last week, the FAO/Emergency and Rehabilitation 
Coordination Unit completed the preparations for the distributions in 
light of the impending agricultural season 2007A. The distribution will 
last one month starting early September. For this season, FAO will 
assist a total of 14,593 vulnerable families. The programme will be 
implemented in partnership with national and international NGOs 
nationwide and the administration in collaboration with other United 
Nations agencies such as WFP and OCHA. The distribution will be based on 
the refined targeting mechanisms established between UN agencies, NGO 
partners and the Government of Burundi in July 2006.

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: Interviews for the refugee status determination 
of Rwandan Asylum Seekers were completed as planned by end of August 
2006. All recommendations to the Appeal Commission are expected by 15 
September. According to ration cards being used, 5,860 persons reside at 
Musasa site whilst only 4,752 persons are authorized to stay pending 
decisions. The surplus comprises persons who have no legal status and 
repeatedly failed to present themselves for voluntary repatriation. To 
prevent hygiene issues and typhoid fever, increased ration of soap (400 
g per person) will be distributed. As for Burundians who were reported 
at Musasa site, PARESI and GTZ have brought them back to their 
communities of origin.

Hailstorm hit several areas in Kayogoro commune (Makamba): On 31 August 
a hailstorm hit the commune of Kayogoro in Makamba province. Preliminary 
selective findings show that crops in at least three collines were 
entirely destroyed and it is confirmed that one classroom of Gatwe 
primary school as well as 250 houses were destroyed. Details on damage 
will be provided by a joint mission by FAO, WFP and OCHA which will be 
fielded on 7 September. The mission will conduct and assessment with the 
provincial Department for Agriculture and Livestock.

Health: In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, HealthNet-TPO 
organized a refresher training session for nurses in Muyinga on 28 
August. These include nurses from Muyinga, Gitega, Kibuye health sector 
who had previously been trained in mental healthcare.

Former child soldiers receive training in handicraft: Supported by 
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor/International 
Labour Organization (ILO), HN-TPO concluded the six month handicraft 
training for 200 former child soldiers in Makamba on 1 September 2006. 
In order to support their socio-professional reintegration, HN-TPO 
distributed reinstallation kits which will help them start small 
projects.

Refugee returns: During the week under review, UNHCR assisted 2,769 
Burundians returnees. In August, the number of returns rose up to 9,614 
which is nearly half the total for 2006 (19,251 returnees). The increase 
is due to seasonal aspects such as the impending planting season and the 
beginning of the school year. Moreover, UNHCR has shifted from 
facilitation to promotion of voluntary returns to Burundi and is now 
encouraging refugees in Tanzania through information campaigns to come 
back.

Non Food Items: CRS carried out the distribution of non food items to 
persons in need due to torrential rains which affected several 
households last May and June in Cibitoke as well as spontaneous 
returnees in Kirundo. In Cibitoke, assistance was delivered to 77 
families from Kaburantwa who had missed the previous distribution. In 
collaboration with local NGO SOBUSEVA, CRS delivered assistance to 346 
families from Kirundo and Bugabira communes who had spontaneously 
returned to Burundi from exile and did not get any other assistance 
during their repatriation.

Food aid distribution update: WFP distributed a total of 264 Mt to 
52,410 beneficiaries in its different programmes Burundians expelled 
from Tanzania were also assisted.

PROTECTION, SECURITY, ACCESS AND COORDINATION

Protection: Administration authorities reported upsurge in cases of 
sexual violence against women in Bujumbura Rural and Bubanza. Arrests of 
persons suspected of collaboration with FNL rebel movement went on in 
these provinces. In Isale commune (Bujumbura Rural), one case of 
abduction was reported in Caranka area on 1 September.

Security, Bubanza, Bujumbura Rural, Bujumbura Mairie: Despite decrease 
of skirmishes between National Defense Force (FDN) and FNL rebels, the 
security is of concern in some areas of said provinces bordering with 
the Kibira forest due to increased cases of armed banditry. Incursions 
by FNL rebels were reported in Mpanda. On 26 August, around 200 
households in from Musigati and Gihanga were looted in two separate 
incidents. Meanwhile, targeted killings which were reported in Rugazi 
(Bubanza) resulted in night displacement of the local population. On 
Sunday evening (3 September) grenades went off in a bar in Nyakabiga 
commune (Bujumbura-Mairie) which injured several people.

Coordination, Bubanza: the provincial coordination meeting was held at 
Bubanza on 30 August. Participants including provincial authorities, UN 
agencies and NGOs discussed the security and humanitarian situation. It 
was noted that families who were displaced at Mpishi (Musigati) need 
assistance in terms of non food items in order to help them face the 
harsh weather conditions anticipated throughout the coming rainy season.

CERF: The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) administered by OCHA 
New York allocated an additional 2 million USD to Burundi as part of a 
bi-annual response to under funded emergencies. Six projects agreed upon 
by the IASC country team were officially submitted by the Humanitarian 
Coordinator to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) on 31 August. 
Appealing agencies include WFP, FAO, UNHCR (2 projects) and WHO (2 
projects).

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

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