OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
8 - 14 October 2007


ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Meningitis vaccination campaign in Ruyigi Province

Further to recurrent sporadic meningitis cases in Kinyinya
commune/Ruyigi Province, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to
organize an immunization campaign for persons deemed at risk in order to
boost their immunity. The last campaign was organized over two years
ago. Supported by WHO and UNICEF, the MoH will run the campaign from the
22 to 28 October and will target an estimated 25,000 persons.
Considering that this activity will use up existing vaccines, the
present contingency stock of 50,000 doses will reduce significantly. To
prevent a possible shortage, WHO is requesting more funds and
contributions towards the purchase of additional vaccines which will be
used in responding to any further outbreaks, which are likely to occur
between October and December, a period of high meningitis risk.

Update on repatriation and refugees

Over the reporting week, UNHCR registered 1,213 Burundian refugees who
arrived from Tanzania through the entry points of Kobero/Muyinga
Province (539), Gisuru/Ruyigi Province (294) and Mabanda/Makamba
Province (323). Three persons arrived from South Africa (2) and Central
African Republic (1). Over the first two weeks in October only 2,366
Burundians have returned against 4,863 returnees registered over the
same period in September. This shows a drastic decrease in the number of
returnees. In 2007, a total of 28,722 Burundian refugees have returned
to their home country from Tanzania and 243 from other countries. So
far, 367, 721 Burundians have returned under the UNHCR facilitated
repatriation process which began in April 2002. No DRC refugees were
transferred from Bujumbura Mairie to Musasa transit center/Ngozi
Province.

Assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania

The Government project for the reintegration of war-affected persons
(PARESI) registered 37 persons (18 families) who arrived from Tanzania
through the entry point of Mishiha/Cankuzo Province. Since January 2007,
PARESI has recorded 8,537 expelled persons (4,179 families).

Protection: ongoing assistance to unaccompanied children

IRC assisted in repatriating and identifying 5 unaccompanied children
and organized monitoring visits to 42 other unaccompanied children.
Furthermore, 6 expelled children from Muyinga received a return kit
while healthcare is being provided to vulnerable children in Bujumbura
(2) and Muyinga (1). School material including notebooks, pens, pencils,
and uniforms were distributed to 8 children in Makamba Province. IRC
equally provided 22 aluminum sheets for the construction of a house for
two unaccompanied children in Muyinga. These children also received food
aid assistance comprised of 10 kgs of rice and bars of soap.

Reintegration and Protection of Returnees: NGO mediates land disputes

The Legal Aid Clinic Project of the African Centre for the Constructive
Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) continued to mediate over land disputes.
Last week, 6 disputes mostly over land were settled in the Provinces of
Bururi, Makamba, Ruyigi and Gitega. In addition, 19 people who received
legal advice from ACCORD were thereafter referred to either Avocats Sans
Frontieres (ASF) (a partner organization), or to relevant legal
institutions. These initiatives assist towards the promotion of
reconciliation, protection and reintegration of returnees into
communities.

Update on food aid distribution

In collaboration with its implementing partners, WFP distributed 584 MT
of food to 163,010 beneficiaries through its different programmes which
include nutrition, food for work/food for training, school and refugee
feeding as well as assistance to returnees and refugees in Burundi.

For more information: E-mail: ocha-burundi@un.org, Tel: +257 22 205000
Ext. 5542

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