OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
15 -21 October 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Update on repatriation and refugees

Over the reporting week, UNHCR registered 622 Burundian refugees who
arrived from Tanzania through the entry points of Kobero/Muyinga
Province (264), Gisuru/Ruyigi Province (241) and Mabanda/Makamba
Province (107). During the same period, 35 spontaneous returnees were
registered and assisted in Makamba. The steady decrease in the number of
returnees reflects the need for an improvement in reintegration services
being offered to returnees. Various socio-economic issues may hinder the
decision to return. Since January 2007, 29,369 Burundian refugees have
been repatriated to their home country from Tanzania including 416
spontaneous returnees. So far, 368,368 Burundians refugees have returned
under the UNHCR facilitated repatriation process which began in April
2002. An estimated 300,000 Burundians still live in Tanzania while over
200,000 Burundian refugees are still in the Mishamo, Ulyankulu and
Katumba camps.

Assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania

The Government project for the reintegration of war-affected persons
(PARESI) registered 35 persons (19 families) who arrived from Tanzania
through the entry point of Kobero/Muyinga Province. Since January 2007,
PARESI has recorded 8,584 expelled persons (4,203 families).

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) successfully mediated one dispute
regarding land in Ruyigi Province. In addition to this, ACCORD organized
a 'Lessons Learned Conflict Management Training' in the commune of
Makamba/Makamba Province, for 25 community leaders, local administration
representatives and judicial authorities. Furthermore, 21 persons who
received legal advice from ACCORD were thereafter referred to either
Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) 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 1,215
MT of food to 191,464 beneficiaries through its various programmes
including; nutrition, food for work/food for training, school and
refugee feeding as well as assistance to returnees and refugees in
Burundi.

WFP study on Food consumption indicators

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has been
contracted by WFP to carry out a study in Burundi to validate household
food consumption indicators that VAM uses in many countries as part of
its vulnerability analysis. The Burundi study is on-going, with
fieldwork expected to end on 19 October. Results of the study will
provide guidance to WFP corporate vulnerability analysis.

Given the floods of late 2006/early 2007 and the current flooding in the
region, the country office plans to undertake flood risk mapping with
technical assistance from regional institutions. These analyses will
guide emergency preparedness and response.

As part of WFP's ongoing efforts in contributing towards the
reintegration process of Burundian refugees, new strategies for
sustainable land management are being implemented by WFP and its
partners to encourage the construction of terraces on erosion prone
steeply, sloping Burundian

highlands. Starting with eight provinces, WFP's implementing partners
will provide farmers with skills to optimize the use of lands. In the
short term, WFP participants in the FFW project will learn how to
construct terraces, adequate irrigation techniques and possibly,
cultivate new income generating crops. The long term objective will be
to pave the way for technological strategies that target small scale
farmers.

World Food Day celebration

On 16 October, Burundi joined other countries worldwide to celebrate
World Food Day under the theme; 'The Right to Food: Act Now'. Ceremonies
which took place in the Provinces of Bururi and Kayanza were presided
over by the First and Second Vice-Presidents respectively.

At the beginning of the ceremony in the Gatwaro stadium in Kayanza,
participants visited an agro-sylvo-pastoral site on the Murango Colline.
The 2008 agricultural season was launched in this same location. In
Bururi, the ceremony was held at the Matana stadium where an animal
parade took place. Both events ended with an award ceremony for the best
identified livestock breeders.

Celebration of World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day has been celebrated annually on 10 October since
1992. Every year a different theme is set by the World Federation for
World Mental Health Day. The theme for 2007 is 'Mental health in a
changing world: the impact of culture and diversity'.

In Burundi, this day was celebrated on 19 October in Muyinga Province,
which apart from being one of the Provinces with the highest number of
refugees from various countries with diverse cultures; also has one of
the most advanced integrated mental health service. HealthNet TPO being
the main provider of mental health in this Province took active part in
the organization of this day.

Among other participants, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of
Public Health, the WHO Representative in Burundi, the Provincial doctor
of Muyinga, Provincial and local authorities. Activities began with a
visit to the mental health service in the Gasorwe refugee camp managed
by HealthNet TPO. Then, the delegation moved to the provincial hospital
where national nurses who are trained, supported and supervised by
HealthNet TPO had organized a 'semi-permanent' clinic (the clinic only
operates twice per week earning its appellation 'semi-permanent'). The
ceremony was closed by speeches from: the Minister of Health, the
Governor of the Province, the WHO Representative and the legal
representative of HealthNet TPO who highlighted the organization's
participation in the integration of mental health into basic health
services.

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

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