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Office for the Coordination Bureau de Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs in Des Affaires Humanitaires au Burundi http://ochaonline.un.org/Burundi http://ochaonline.un.org/Burundi Burundi Weekly Humanitarian News 29 December 2008 – 03 January 2009 Activities and Updates

Food Security have come to the administrative centre for Karuzi assistance. The principal adviser to Governor of Karuzi reported Evaluation of agricultural inputs that after the early end of the rains (November 2008), the crops dried in the communes of Buhiga, distribution for the season 2009A Gihogazi, and Mutumba. The remaining crops which After its evaluation of harvests for the season 2008B, had withstood this drought were devastated by the FAO had determined that 311,200 vulnerable rainstorms and hailstorms which took place in late households needed assistance in agricultural inputs, December. for a total of throughout the country. To date, FAO assisted approximately 176,450 households, CRS The population has difficulties finding enough to eat. 62,100, the FHI 2,500, the HCB 800 and the GTZ This particularly affects those who were already 13,000, thus adding up to 254,850 beneficiary vulnerable (the landless, the elderly and the households or 82% of those in need. These inputs household headed by children). The populations were either directly distributed to vulnerable affected is reported by the Governor’s principal households or made available to them at seed fairs. advisor as moving to other provinces like Cankuzo and Muyinga where they hope to find work. An evaluation mission visited 8 provinces and 15 communes. The mission interviewed 226 beneficiary Kirundo vulnerable households, the administrative and technical supervisors and the FAO distribution According to the Economic Adviser of the Governor partners. The mission report is in finalization. of Kirundo the populations of the area of Bugesera, in the communes Busoni (514 households), Kirundo (250 households), Gitobe (271 households) and Bugabira (350 households) had started leaving their homes to seek better fortunes in Rwanda since early of December. Others have moved to other provinces (Muyinga and Ngozi) where they look for employment opportunities. They are reported to be travelling with a hoe and a small bag in which they hope to carry food back home in the evening.

According to the same source, lack of rains after the planting in October caused the crops (bean and corn mainly) to dry. Some households have only cassava Mrs Rubike Agnes, widow, 58 year old can now support her 4 dependent for food. Rice, which is the main off-season crop, children the FAO assistance which was relied upon by households during the lean season, has produced very little because of the Assistance to the repatriates: poor quality of the seeds provided by the ‘DPAE’. On regional support funded by Spain January 6, 2009, the provincial administration has FAO/ERCU is implementing a project aiming at planned to distribute food to 50 destitute people who improving the agricultural output and yields for returnees being resettled. This project targets two

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localities, the commune of Buganda (900 - Gisuru / , 2 persons (2 families) Beneficiaries) and Mutimbuzi (600 beneficiaries). who had been transfer in their colline of origin in The beneficiaries received vegetable and corn Gisuru commune; seeds, gardening tools, pedal water pumps as well as fertilisers and pesticides. In Rukaramu (photo - Kobero / Muyinga, 14 persons (7 families) below), harvests were successful, the most planted transferred in their colline of origin: 4 persons (3 vegetables were cabbages, onions, leeks, families) in Giteranyi / Muyinga province, 1 aubergine, pepper, amaranth and carrot. Because of person (1 family) in Marangara / , the water deficit, pedal water pumps distributed were 4 persons (1 family) in Gitaramuka / Karuzi instrumental to the success of vegetable production. Province, 4 persons (1 family) in Butihinda / Muyinga province and 1 person (1 family) in Nyamurenza / Ngozi province.

- Mabanda / , 35 persons (10 families) transferred as following: 8 persons (3 families) in Bukirasazi / province 14 persons (3 families) in Mabanda / Makamba Province, 5 persons (1 family) in Gitanga / and 8 persons (3 families) in Nyanza-Lac / Makamba Province.

Human rights A cabbage plot beside the house in a village of repatriates with Rukaramu HR&JOs were informed this week of another murder The activities to support these beneficiaries will on [30 Dec.] of an eight-year-old albino child (gender continue during the second farming season 2009B. unkown) in Munzenze Colline and Zone, Mishiha Repatriation of Burundian Refugees Commune, , by a group of 3 men. As in the previous cases reported, body parts of the The refugee camp of Nduta was closed at the end of victim were taken by the perpetrators. One of the December. Some 9,811 Burundian refugees were three alleged killers was lynched to death by the then relocated to Mtabila refugee camp. 119 Burundi population, while the two others allegedly fled to nationals who were illegally residing in Nduta camp Tanzania. Five cases of murder of albino persons (4 (not registered refugees) were assisted by UNHCR minors and 1 man) have been reported to HR&JOs with transportation to return to Burundi and since [Aug.]. thereafter PARESI transferred them to their collines of return. Mtabila camp, which is nearby the border On [25-26 Dec.], eleven members or sympathisers of with Burundi's Makamba province, remains now the Palipehutu-FNL were arrested in Nyamurenza only camp for Burundian refugees in Tanzania. It Commune, Ngozi Province, after their alleged hosts some 45,250 refugees. participation in a clandestine meeting of this movement, which was held in Shoza Colline of the The preliminary figure for 2008 returns is 95,049, same Commune. These eleven men were all including 30,505 former 1972 refugees from reportedly severely beaten by local administrative Tanzania’s Old Settlements. Since 2002, 473,846 authorities during the arrest and had to receive Burundian refugees have returned. The 2008 medical treatment for the injuries inflicted. Two statistics are currently being reviewed and minor remain in detention in Police holding cells from changes may be made. Nyamurenza Commune, including a teacher of a primary school and a student of a secondary school. Assistance to Burundians expelled The HR&JD conducted on [30 Dec.] its weekly from Tanzania discussion with representatives of the media, trade The Government project for the reintegration of war- unions and civil society. A total of 71 persons, affected persons (PARESI) registered 50 including 26 women, attended this session which Burundians (18 families) expelled from Tanzania focused on the impact of corruption on Human who arrived through the entry points of: Rights.

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