OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
11 - 17 September 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHT

European Union and UNICEF provide drugs: In support of decision by the
Burundian Government to make healthcare for children under-five years
and pregnant women free of charge, 63 tons of medical supplies were
received in Burundi on 16 September. These drugs, medical materials and
equipments were procured with a total US $ 1.6 million in donation
consisting in 1.2 million US $ contribution from the European Union via
ECHO with the remainder being funded by UNICEF. Another shipment is
expected in mid-October, bringing the total amount of medical supplies
to 173 tons. These are expected to cover a period of three months to
assist 890,000 children under-five years and provide delivery equipment
for 32,650 pregnant women. Based on a distribution plan elaborated by
WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF, NGOs
active in the health sector in support to the provincial health offices
- MSF-B, MSF-H, GVC, CORDAID, TPO, IMC, HIF, AHA, JRS and CCM - are
currently assisting in the dispatching of the kits to health centres and
hospitals throughout the country.

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Update on assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania: During the
week under review, a total of 63 persons arrived from Tanzania. Since
there was no transport assistance to their communes of origin, all the
new arrivals remained at the site of Kinazi where they joined the 9 who
have no reference. The total number of persons staying in the site
therefore stands at 72. WFP confirmed that a three-month return package
will be distributed to persons identified for return to their collines
of origin.

Rwandan Asylum Seekers: During the reporting week, Rwandan Asylum
Seekers registered to return to their country of origin with the next
convoy. At the same time, the refugee status determination process was
completed and the 27 persons who obtained refugee status were
transferred to Giharo refugee camp in Rutana province. As of 11
September, the number of persons remaining in the site of Musasa stood
at 5,343. Since the beginning of the repatriation convoys on 12 April a
total of 13,831 persons have returned back to Rwanda.

HIV/AIDS: Supported by UNICEF, the provincial council against HIV/AIDS
in Makamba organized a twoday campaign of HIV/AIDS prevention on 14 and
15 September targeting children. The session was attended by local
authorities, civil society organizations and parents. Four themes were
developed: epidemiological situation of HIV/AIDS, its impact on
children, national policy with regard to mother-child prevention and
protection of youths.

Food security: During the monthly coordination meeting which was held on
12 September, FAO/ERCU informed participants that since the beginning of
September, signs of food shortage had been noted. This is a consequence
of the shortfall of agricultural output during the harvests of the 2006B
agricultural season. Meanwhile, the preparation of seeds distribution
for the coming agricultural season continued. FAO/Emergency and
Rehabilitation Coordination Unit (ERCU) finished dispatching the seed
stocks in the various targeted provinces and is now supervising the
seeds voucher campaign. WFP continued the distribution of Seeds
Protection Rations (SPR) which helps vulnerable families to conserve
their seeds for planting through food aid. Over the week under review,
WFP teams delivered SPR to 41,324 families in the communes of Bururi,
Ruyigi, Rutana, Muyinga and Kirundo provinces. The operation is expected
to last until mid-October.

Refugee returns: During the week under review, UNHCR assisted 2,196
returnees. This brings the number Burundians who have returned home
since the beginning of 2006 to 23,982. The majority of returnees arrived
from Tanzania (2,062), others from the Democratic Republic of Congo
(131), Kenya (2) and South Africa (1).

Non Food items: Further to the hailstorm which hit Mabayi commune
(Cibitoke) in late August, CRS completed an assessment in Mabayi commune
(Cibitoke) in order to take stock of household needs and to plan
assistance. The mission concluded that contrary to initial reports there
was no need for a non-food item distribution since no houses were
destroyed.

Food aid distribution update: During the reporting period, WFP
distributed a total of 1,803 Mt to 245,214 beneficiaries through its
implementing partners. Most of these beneficiaries were assisted through
the seeds protection rations operation (see above).

Reintegration efforts for displaced persons: The Government project APRS
supported by GTZ has completed identification of beneficiaries for its
housing project which plans to build 512 houses in Gitega commune
(Gitega province). Identified persons include returnees, displaced
persons, former combatants and certain vulnerable persons. Further to
the decision by the Government to undertake major construction work at
Itankoma, displaced persons were encouraged to return to their collines
of origin. Whilst all of the approximately 400 IDPs had adhered to the
call, only 160 were considered and will be assisted. There is a pressing
need of assistance for the remaining group of displaced persons in terms
of housing since they have to leave the location.

PROTECTION, SECURITY, ACCESS AND COORDINATION

Coordination: On 13 September OCHA fielded a mission to Cibitoke
province with the objective to assess the humanitarian situation after
the hailstorm which affected the areas of Ruhororo, Butahana and Mabayi
(Mabayi commune). Whilst no major infrastructure destruction was noted,
crop fields were seriously damaged. According to administration
authorities, several hectares of banana plants, sweet potatoes, tomatoes
and cabbage were devastated. It should be noted that this happened at
the time when families in Cibitoke continued to suffer from the effects
of the cassava mosaic and when the distribution of a new type of
resistant plants is still pending. Based on the findings of the mission,
a food aid distribution is required.

Consolidated Appeal: An enlarged Comite Humanitaire (IASC country team +
donors) met last Friday (15 September) to discuss criteria and
parameters of the Consolidated Appeal (CAP) and the Common Humanitarian
Action Plan (CHAP) for 2007. The representatives of the government were
also present in order to ensure that the CAP would respond to the needs
and priorities of Burundi and that it would fit seamlessly into the PRSP
framework which will dominate international assistance to Burundi from
2007 onwards.

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

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