Burundi Weekly Humanitarian News 24 - 30 March 2008

UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES Office for the Coordination of Bureau de la Coordination Humanitarian Affairs in des Affaires Humanitaires au Burundi http://ochaonline.un.org/Burundi http://ochaonline.un.org/Burundi

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Chinese Government’s donation to the Burundian Ministry of Public Health: The Burundian Minister of Public Health and the fight against HIV/AIDS inaugurated a centre for the prevention and treatment of malaria on 28 March. The centre is located in the premises of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). This donation is in compliance with the decision made during the China-Africa Summit to set up centres for the prevention and treatment of malaria in post conflict countries. Burundi is the third country to benefit from this support after Liberia and Chad. The Chinese Government will provide the INSP with microscopes, equipments to improve on the quality of diagnosis, chemoresistance reagents, training support, monitoring of new molecules and support in the stratification of malaria.

Repatriation of Burundian refugees: During the reporting week, UNHCR facilitated the return of 1,623 Burundian refugees from Tanzania mostly through Kobero/ (1,466). In total, 4 convoys were organized. In 2008, UNHCR has registered a total of 10,803 returnees. Since the beginning of the facilitated repatriation in 2002, UNHCR has registered 389,600 Burundian returnees.

Following the arrival in Burundi of 262 returnees (1972 caseload) on the first voluntary repatriation convoy from Tanzania’s Old Settlements on 10 March 2008, UNHCR carried out a close follow up of the situation of these returnees together with its partner NGO Ligue Iteka, a Burundian Human Rights association. Between 25 and 27 March 2008, monitoring visits were organized for 19 families who recently arrived in Rumonge/, Nyanza-Lac, Mabanda/ and Musongati, Bukemba, Gitanga in Rutana Province. The monitoring focused on the following aspects: security, reception, shelter, economic and legal integration. Findings revealed that: the security situation is good; some returnees have already moved to urban areas where they can develop economic activities; most families are accommodated by family members, friends or other persons. However, families raised concerns over access to land and food. The land of 14 out of the 19 families was occupied. The Governor of Makamba Province has allocated about 4ha of additional land at Gitara for UNHCR to construct 28 shelters (112 rooms for a total of 171 individuals) for new arrivals who do not have a place of return ("sans reference"). Construction is scheduled to be finished by end-May.

Assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania: The Government project for the reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) registered 41 Burundians (26 families) expelled from Tanzania who arrived through the entry points of Kobero/Muyinga Province, Mishiha/ and Mabanda/Makamba Province. With financial support from the European Commission, UNICEF continues to provide assistance to expelled persons in the transit centres of Gisuru/, Munzenze/Cankuzo Province, Kinazi/Muyinga Province and Mabanda/Makamba Province. This assistance is delivered through its field partners: PARESI, TPO, AHA, CNR, CRB and Solidarités. Since 01 January, 1,433 expelled persons (634 families) have returned to their home country.

For more information: E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +257 22 20 5542

Burundi Weekly Humanitarian News 24 - 30 March 2008

Preliminary findings of the Burundi WFP review: On 28 March, WFP presented preliminary findings of the technical review of its current programme (Protracted relief and recovery operation, PRRO) to the Government, UN agencies, NGOs and donors present in Burundi. This multi stakeholder technical review which is still underway aims to take stock of achievements, challenges and best practices. Its findings will eventually be taken into consideration during the 2009-10 programming. During the evaluation, thematic group work (Targeted feeding, Food for Work, Health and Nutrition, and School Feeding) discussed overall performance, field work, coordination aspects, opportunities, challenges and recommendations.

Protection and community reintegration of returnees: Over the reporting week, The Legal Aid Clinic Project of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) successfully mediated 1 land dispute in the Commune of Rumonge/Bururi Province. In addition, ACCORD conducted 2 capacity building workshops in conflict management for 50 local administrative authorities in the Communes of Itaba/ and Mabanda/Makamba Province. Nineteen people received legal advice from ACCORD where after they were referred to either Avocats sans Frontières (ASF) (a partner organization), or to a relevant judiciary institution. These initiatives assist towards the reintegration of returnees into communities, the promotion of reconciliation, and the protection of returnees.

Ongoing implementation of agricultural season 2008B: As part of an evaluation of the distribution of seeds and tools for season 2008B, FAO/Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit (ERCU) fielded a mission in the Communes of Mishiha/Cankuzo Province, Gisuru/Ruyigi Province, Gitanga/Rutana Province and Kayogoro/Makamba Province. The mission’s objective was to collect information on how families whose harvests were affected by drought during the agricultural season 2008A implemented season 2008B. Throughout the 4 Communes visited, the mission’s overall impression was that families largely implemented the current season with spaced out sowings so as to expand harvests over a longer period and thereby secure the crop yield against weather hazards. The first bean seeds were planted in mid-February while the last planting phase is still underway. It should be noted that since the beginning of this season, it has rained adequately. Although, hailstorms and heavy rains were reported in the Communes of Gisuru and Mishiha, they did not cause any damage to crops. If this good rainfall pattern continues until the end of May, farmers expect to have a satisfactory crop yield. Families now live on maize harvested from season 2008A and it is worth noting that sweet potatoes and vegetables are widely available.

Update on food aid distribution: Last week, WFP supplied 56 tons of food aid to 3,703 beneficiaries through its different programmes, notably Health Nutrition, Refugee Feeding and Return Package.

UNICEF assists the vulnerable: Within the framework of its emergency programme, UNICEF provided construction material to build temporary schools in the Provinces of Cibitoke, Muramvya, Kayanza, Makamba and Gitega. The distributed material included nails, cement and aluminum sheet. In addition to this, non food items including plates, buckets, clothes, soap, and treated mosquito nets were provided to malnourished children and elders through the congregation of Soeurs Chanoinesses in Kayanza and the Provincial health authority in Gitega Province.

For more information: E-mail: [email protected], Tel: +257 22 20 5542