OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
4 - 10 September 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHT

Ceasefire agreement reached

On 7 September 2007 the Government of Burundi and the Palipehutu-FNL 
rebel movement signed a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in 
Dar-es-Salaam. It was scheduled to enter into force within 72 hours 
after signing, i.e. on 10 September. If adhered to, the ceasefire 
agreement will lead to a significant improvement of the humanitarian 
situation and protection of civilians in the provinces of 
Bujumbura-Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke. Most importantly, it would put an 
end to night displacement in parts of said provinces.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Hailstorm in Makamba: After a hailstorm caused damage in Kayogoro and 
Kibago communes (Makamba) in late August, OCHA organized a joint mission 
from 6 to 8 September with the provincial department for agriculture and 
livestock, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, ONUB, Intermon Oxfam, and Tearfund to the 
affected areas. The objective of the mission was two-fold: to take stock 
of damage caused in said areas and plan a quick response in order to 
avoid deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Over 2,000 families 
have had their crop fields (mainly banana and cassava) devastated (see 
photo below). Several houses were damaged and the roof of one classroom 
at Gatwe primary school was blown off. The population has already begun 
reconstruction of destroyed houses and UNICEF will support the 
reconstruction of the school whilst FAO will provide seeds. WFP will 
deliver food aid starting November when stocks are usually empty.

UNICEF to implement the SC resolution (1612) on child protection and 
armed conflict: Since the beginning of September 2006, UNICEF Burundi, 
with the objective of implementing a monitoring and reporting system of 
child rights violations in situations of armed conflict, has undertaken 
registering existing resources and current mechanisms to monitor the six 
categories of violations provided in the resolution 1612 of the UN 
Security Council: abduction, killing and maiming, recruitment and use of 
children in armed forces and groups, grave sexual violence, attacks on 
schools and hospitals, denial of humanitarian access. To this end, 
UNICEF is organizing meetings with UN agencies, national and 
international organizations operating in the field in order to take 
stock of their ways of collecting, reporting and verifying violation of 
children's rights. This will enable UNICEF and partner organizations 
gathered in the Child Protection Network to develop an integrated action 
plan based on every partner's strengths and areas of expertise. In fine, 
the common objective of the network partners is to set up a nationwide 
monitoring and reporting system.

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania: During the 
course of the period under review, PARESI, the governmental repatriation 
and reintegration project, reported the return of 68 Burundians who were 
expelled from Tanzania via Kobero (Muyinga) entry point. All new 
arrivals except 9 persons who had no reference were transported back to 
their collines of origin.

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: The sensitization session which was conducted on 
31 August resulted in the voluntary registration of over 600 persons for 
repatriation. During the reporting period, a convoy of 420 persons was 
organized. It also emerged that small numbers of new arrivals presented 
themselves in Musasa in late August and early September. However, a 
joint Government/UNHCR commission screened the new arrivals and 
established that they had left for Burundi not due to persecution or 
fear thereof. As a result, the group was returned to Rwanda.

Refugee returns: During the week under review, UNHCR assisted 2,535 
returnees. The number of returns follows an annual pattern of seasonal 
pull factors (planting season, beginning of the school year) and is 
expected to remain high until the end of September which is when school 
also starts in the refugee camps in Tanzania. Since the beginning of 
2006, a total of 21,786 Burundians returned home.

Food security: In addition to the 142,593 households identified for the 
coming seeds distribution covering the agricultural season 2007A, 
FAO/Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit (ERCU) and partner 
organizations will also assist the families whose crops were devastated 
by the recent hailstorms in Kayogoro and Kibago communes (Makamba) and 
by torrential rains in Karuzi and Gitega in August. 7,800 highly 
vulnerable families will be assisted through the seed voucher system. 
Furthermore, over the coming season, quality seeds produced by FAO/ERCU 
and partners under the seed multiplication programme will be distributed 
to beneficiaries in Ruyigi (Kinyinya and Butezi communes), Makamba 
(Vugizo and Mabanda communes), Mwaro (Nyabihanga commune) and Gitega 
(Gishubi commune). In order to improve access to seeds in Ruyigi for 
this season, ActionAid Burundi has set up community seed stocks in 
partnership with two local associations throughout the 7 communes 
(total: 15 MT). This will enable access to seeds at affordable cost 
(300Fbu) for farmers in general whilst the most vulnerable households as 
jointly defined by food security actors and the Burundian government. 
The same system is also being rolled out in Karuzi province. As part 
efforts to support season 2007A, WFP has launched the distribution of 
Seeds Protection Rations (SPR) for some 170,000 households countrywide.

Food aid distribution update: During the reporting week, WFP, through 
its implementing partners, distributed a total of 765 Mt to 201,178 
beneficiaries. Beneficiaries include Rwandan asylum seekers returning 
home and those remaining in the camps.

PROTECTION, SECURITY, ACCESS AND COORDINATION

Protection: Sexual violence remains of grave concern. In Ruyigi a 
serious case was reported where a 5-year old girl was abused in Gisuru 
on 6 September. The perpetrator was arrested by the police. Meanwhile, 
the local NGO SWAA-Burundi continues sensitization of local authorities 
against sexual and gender-based violence.

Security: On 5 September, FNL rebels attacked a police station in 
Gatumba (Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura Rural). One person was killed and 
one soldier was wounded. One house was destroyed as well. In Gihanga 
commune, Buringa area, alleged FNL rebels attacked a household and stole 
clothes, food stuff and a bicycle. A woman and her child were killed, 
her husband was wounded.

Coordination: OCHA fielded a mission to Mukike and Mugongomanga communes 
(Bujumbura Rural) in order to assess the humanitarian situation 
subsequent to the torrential rains recorded in April and May as well as 
the recent hailstorm in August which destroyed crops. Over the course of 
the two coming months, food security will be a cause of concern since 
tea which is the main source of revenue in that area was affected.

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

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