OCHA Situation Report
Burundi
4 - 10 Feb 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Update on health:

Cholera disease in Cibitoke and Bujumbura Rural Provinces: Despite ongoing
reports of some new cholera cases in Cibitoke Province and in Magara/Bujumbura
Rural Province, the situation is under control. Humanitarian partners continue
to support the Ministry of Health through the provision of medicines, medical
supplies and potable water in affected areas. Solidarites has installed a
bladder to improve access to potable water for the affected population in
Cibitoke neighborhoods. For Bujumbura Rural, GVC (Gruppo Volontariato Civile)
continues to monitor the situation through bi weekly visits. If needed, UNICEF
is considering providing a tank vehicle to the Magara area where a 2,000 liters
bladder has been set up.

Contribution to durable solutions for returnees:

Under its 2007 shelter programme supported by ECHO and the Norwegian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) completed the
construction of houses and latrines for 2,894 families in Giteranyi/Muyinga
Province (975), Kinyinya/RuyigiProvince (202), Giharo/Rutana Province (740),
and Nyanza-Lac and Kayogoro/Makamba Province (977). This shelter programme
contributed to the sustainable reintegration in their areas of origin or
resettlement; mainly for Burundian refugees who recently returned to Burundi.
The programme also took into consideration the most vulnerable families such as
the elderly, widows, child-headed households and disabled persons among the
host population, and among refugees and IDPs who returned before 2004.

Repatriation of Burundian refugees:

UNHCR facilitated the return of 169 Burundian refugees from Tanzania. Returnees
arrived through Kobero/Muyinga Province (88) and Gisuru/Ruyigi Province (81).
Meanwhile, UNHCR registered and distributed return packages to 15 spontaneous
returnees at the transit site ofMabanda/Makamba Province. Since the beginning
of 2008, UNHCR has registered a total of 753 returnees.

Within the framework of finding comprehensive solutions for Burundian refugees
in Tanzania's Old Settlements, UNHCR has launched an additional appeal for US$
34,292,586 to assist the 220,000 Burundians living in three designated
settlements in Western Tanzania, known as 'Old Settlements'. Assistance will be
provided through the following 3 main strategies: repatriation to Burundi,
naturalization of those refugees who have expressed a desire to remain in
Tanzania and local integration of those naturalized in Tanzania.

Assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania:

The Government project for the reintegration of waraffected persons (PARESI)
registered 168 Burundians (49 families) expelled from Tanzania who arrived
through the entry points of Kobero/Muyinga Province and Mishiha/Cankuzo
Province. Since 01 January, 568 expelled persons (169 families) have returned
to their home country. During the bi monthly coordination meeting on expelled
persons chaired by UNICEF and which was held on 08 February, participants noted
an increasing number of expelled children over the last month, while the case
of separated families and unaccompanied children remains cause for concern.

Protection and community reintegration of returnees:

The Legal Aid Clinic Project of the African Centre for the Constructive
Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) successfully mediated 2 land conflicts during
the relevant period, in Itaba/Gitega Province and Rumonge/Bururi Province. In
addition to this, 4 individuals received legal advice from ACCORD where after
they were referred to either Avocats sans Frontieres (ASF), or to relevant
judiciary institutions. These initiatives assisted with the reintegration of
returnees into communities, the promotion of reconciliation and dialogue, as
well as with the protection of returnees.

UNICEF supports emergency education in Cibitoke Province

During the week under review, UNICEF distributed 1,000 aluminum sheets to the
Provincial education office in Cibitoke to enable access to an increasing
number of school children.

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

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