OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
26 February - 4 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Activities and Updates

Implementation of season 2007-B : The distribution of seeds and seed
protection rations which started two weeks ago is ongoing nationwide.
FAO/Emergency Rehabilitation and Coordination Unit (FAO/ERCU) has so far
achieved 60% of its planning through direct distributions and seed
fairs. The dispatching was also completed throughout the remaining
provinces and the distribution is under way in collaboration with
various partners including national and international NGOs. However,
seed shortages and subsequent price increase were noted but will have
little impact on the implementation of this season since it was
foreseeable and consequently taken into account. This activity will end
on 15 March.

Since the beginning of the operation, WFP has already assisted 15,000
households with 378 MT of seed protection rations in Cankuzo, Kirundo
and Karuzi provinces. Throughout the country, approximately 1,500 MT
will be distributed to 60,000 families (300,000 persons) during
agricultural season 2007-B.

Update on food aid distribution: Over the week under review, WFP
distributed 796 MT of food aid to a total of 114,717 beneficiaries of
supplementary and therapeutic feeding services, seed protection rations
(see above), food-for-work, assistance to refugees and returnees, school
feeding programmes.

Health: During the bi-monthly health coordination meeting held on 2
March, actors involved in the sector discussed the prevailing health
situation following the January-February torrential rains which affected
several areas throughout the country particularly lower land areas. In
regards to malaria cases, an increase was noted as an immediate
consequence of stagnant water. WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of
Health are closely monitoring the situation. Some new cholera cases
continue to be reported in northern neighborhoods of the capital
Bujumbura. From November 2006 till February 2007, 603 cholera cases
including 5 deaths were registered. Supported by WHO, the treatment unit
of Buterere (Bujumbura Mairie) provides medical assistance to patients.
Following reports of four suspected cases of meningitis in Cibitoke
province, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO plans to
order additional vaccines covering about 300,000 persons.

Towards improvement of assistance to vulnerable children: Supported by
CRS, the national NGO Family against AIDS (FVS-AMADE) national NGO
conducted one-week training on accurate system for the follow up of
activities undertaken within the project for "Social integration of
orphans and other vulnerable children in Bujumbura Mairie and Gitega
provinces". 22 persons attended the workshop.

Repatriation: Over the reporting period, the number of returnees
continued to drastically decrease. UNHCR reported only 32 (against 109
last week) Burundian refugees returning to their home country through
the entry point of Kobero (Muyinga province). Since the beginning of
2007, 2,319 returned to Burundi.

Update on Burundians Expelled from Tanzania: The Governmental project
for reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) registered 33
Burundians arriving from Tanzania in the transit sites of Kinazi (26)
(Muyinga) and Munzenze (7) (Cankuzo). Expelled registered persons
continue to be assisted with food and non food items thanks to WFP and
UNICEF. This assistance is distributed by the Burundian Red Cross
Society in both sites. Transfer operations also continue. Over the week,
22 persons were transferred from Cankuzo to their areas of origin in
Ngozi, Muyinga, Karuzi and Kirundo provinces. A resettlement site for
landless persons from Muyinga province has been identified in Karehe in
Buhinyuza commune.

Assistance to the victims of torrential rains: In the aftermath of the
of the torrential rains in December 2006 and January 2007 Around 4,100
families were assisted so far with non food items provided by the
government of Burundi through the Ministry of National Solidarity,
UNICEF, the International Federation of the Red Cross and OXFAM NOVIB
through partner organizations including the Burundian Red Cross Society,
OAP and Solidarites. On 1st and 2nd of March, some additional houses and
latrines were destroyed in Gatumba (Bujumbura Rural province) following
heavy rains. As for food security issues, special attention was drawn to
households affected by these rains during the distribution of seeds and
seed protection rations.

Update on nutritional situation: Partners involved in the food security
and nutrition thematic group ? FAO/Emergency Rehabilitation and
Coordination unit, WFP, UNICEF, ACF, IMC, MSF-Belgium met on 28 Feb.
Although the number of admissions in therapeutic and feeding centres has
increased since June 2006, according to UNICEF, ACF and MSF-B, the
situation remains similar to 2005 and 2006. Participants agreed on the
screening of acute malnutrition cases and organization of supervision
missions.

The Contact Group meeting was held on March 1 and chaired by OCHA. WHO
presented the results of the survey on the distribution of drugs and
medical supplies donated by ECHO in response to increased needs further
to the presidential decision on free medical assistance for under-five
children and maternity.

Provincial Coordination: On 28 February, the "focal point" meeting was
held in Kirundo and was chaired by the governor. According to provincial
authorities, there has been an improvement in the food security and the
nutritional situation despite persistent issues related to land
availability.

For more information: Adelaide Habonimana - E-mail: habonimanaa@un.org,
Tel: 205000 Ext. 5542

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