OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
12 - 18 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Activities and Updates

Update on the implementation of agricultural season 2007-B:  Activities 
aimed at implementation of agricultural season 2007B went on over the 
reporting period. FAO/Emergency Rehabilitation and Coordination Unit and 
partners involved in the food security sector delivered seeds through 
direct distribution and seed fairs.  In Bujumbura Rural province, 
community-based associations supported by the International Fund for 
Agricultural Development (IFAD) started the distribution of cassava 
"cuttings" that are resist to the cassava mosaic disease.

WFP has completed the distribution of seed protection rations (SPR) to 
most vulnerable targeted households in the six provinces Cankuzo, 
Karuzi, Kayanza, Muyinga, Ngozi and Kirundo provinces.  On the whole, 
approximately 1,500 MT were distributed to 60,000 families (300,000 
persons).

Repatriation: During the week under review, UNHCR reported 99 persons 
who arrived through the entry points of Gisuru (Ruyigi) and Kobero 
(Muyinga). Despite this slight increase, the caseload has not picked up 
again.  Since the beginning of 2007, 2,457 persons returned to Burundi.

Update on Burundians expelled from Tanzania:  The governmental project 
for reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) registered 132 
Burundians (89 families) arriving from Tanzania in the transit sites of 
Kinazi (Muyinga) and Munzenze (Cankuzo).  Partners involved in the 
operation continued to assist registered expelled persons with food and 
non food items assistance as provided by UNICEF and WFP.

Towards Improvement of rights protection for orphans and other 
vulnerable children: The national NGO Famille pour Vaincre le SIDA/Amis 
des Enfants (FVS/AMADE) held a training session for protection committee 
members in Makamba province.  The training was held for 40 members and 
focussed on setting up committee representatives on the community level. 
Trained persons will ensure the respect of rights of orphans and other 
vulnerable children, raise awareness against HIV/AIDS, and the creation 
of community-based association for orphans and vulnerable.

Security: The situation remains calm throughout the provinces of 
Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Cibitoke. The number of cases of armed 
theft has also decreased in said provinces. However, households in 
almost all communes of Bujumbura Rural are forced to contribute money to 
the FNL-Palipehutu movement.  Each month, populations in the communes of 
Kanyosha, Isale and Nyabiraba are allegedly required to give 1,000 
Burundi francs for men and 500 Burundi Francs for women.

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -