OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
5 - 11 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Update on the implementation of agricultural season 2007-B :  Since the 
beginning of the seed distribution operations, FAO/ Emergency 
Rehabilitation and Coordination Unit (ERCU) has already completed 75% of 
the planned distributions.  Seed fairs are being conducted in several 
provinces by FAO/ERCU and CRS.  On the whole, a total of 67,800 families 
will be assisted through the seed fairs and 367,000 families will 
receive seeds through direct distributions.

WFP has so far completed distribution of seed protection rations (SPR) 
to most vulnerable targeted households in Cankuzo, Karuzi, Kayanza and 
Kirundo provinces; distribution is currently under way in Ngozi and 
Muyinga provinces.  Throughout the country, approximately 1,500 MT will 
be distributed to 60,000 families (300,000 persons).

Update on food aid distribution: Over the week under review, WFP 
distributed 1,391 MT of food aid to a total of 371,004 beneficiaries of 
supplementary and therapeutic feeding services, seed protection rations, 
food-for-work, assistance to refugees and returnees, and school feeding 
programmes.

Repatriation: The number of returnees remains low.  During the reporting 
week, UNHCR registered 39 persons including 38 who returned through the 
entry point of Kobero (Muyinga province) and one person who arrived 
through Bujumbura airport.  Since the beginning of 2007, 2,358 people 
returned to Burundi.  It is expected that the number of returnees should 
start rising again given joint efforts deployed by the government and 
humanitarian partners to address the food stuff shortage issue which was 
allegedly raised as being one of the main reasons to the reluctance to 
returning, as noted over the last couple of weeks.

Update on Burundians expelled from Tanzania: The governmental project 
for reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) registered 41 
Burundians (22 families) arriving from Tanzania in the transit sites of 
Kinazi (Muyinga). Another 101 persons, including 13 refugees from a camp 
in Tanzania, are registered in Munzenze.  The transfer of registered 
persons to their area of origin continues as well as the distribution by 
the Burundian Red Cross of food and non food items as provided by WFP 
and UNICEF.  For expelled persons registered in Munzenze site, in 
Mishiha commune (Cankuzo province), the NGOs AHA and CORDAID ensure 
medical assistance through support to the health centre of Munzenze and 
IRC carries out the follow up for unaccompanied children.  As part of 
efforts to improve registration of new arrivals, PARESI has already made 
arrangements to increase human resources and logistical means.

As for the 255 expelled persons in Kigamba commune (Cankuzo province), 
all of them were assisted, on the 9th of March, with food and non food 
items provided by WFP and UNICEF.  However, in order to accommodate the 
122 persons who are scattered around the communal premises, the 
construction of a new temporary site and latrines has become a matter of 
urgency.

Assistance to the victims of torrential rains: During the reporting 
week, the Burundian Red Cross (BRC) distributed non food items provided 
by UNICEF to 58 families following torrential rains which destroyed 
houses in Kanyosha commune (Bujumbura Mairie). The aid was comprised of 
jerry cans, blankets, soap, plastic sheeting, buckets, cloth, plates and 
mugs. In Gatumba (Bujumbura Rural), several households were again 
affected by floods before the population had recovered from the 
consequences of the January/February flooding. In order to prevent 
epidemic breakouts subsequent to stagnant water and destruction of 
latrines, the Burundian Red Cross undertook spraying inundated areas and 
households with chlorine. Sensitization sessions aimed at raising 
awareness on hygiene issues were also held.

Evaluation of humanitarian situation: Over the last week, OCHA fielded a 
mission to Makamba province with the objective of assessing the 
prevailing humanitarian situation and follow-up of reintegration 
activities and progress reached in the implementation of agricultural 
season 2007-B. UNDP's project for the reinstallation and reintegration 
of war-affected persons (PRRSLP), through CEFOGE, a partner national 
organization operating in the area, began the construction of houses and 
classrooms, digging of wells for drinking water and setting up some 
income generating activities in Kayogoro commune.  OCHA and UNHCR 
jointly visited the site of Munzenze (Mishiha commune, Cankuzo province) 
where 101 persons (60 households) are being sheltered, including 13 who 
were confirmed as Burundian refugees from refugee camp in Tanzania.

Security: Despite adjournment of talks on the implementation of the 
ceasefire agreement between the delegations of the Burundian Government 
and the Palipehutu-FNL movement, no security incident was reported in 
Burundi's western provinces of Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke. 
However, FNL combatants have allegedly resumed collecting food from the 
population which aggravates the current food insecurity situation.

For more information:
  E-mail: ocha-burundi@un.org
  Tel: 205000 Ext. 5558

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