SITUATION REPORT 29 September-5 October 2003 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES Office for the Coordination of Bureau de Coordination des Affaires Humanitarian Affairs in Burundi Humanitaires au Burundi www.ochaburundi.org www.ochaburundi.org ISSUES OF THE WEEK Humanitarian Activities 1. WFP brings aid to displaced Burundi civilians 2. CRS launches agricultural recovery campaign 3. Returnees as at 27 September 2003 Security Situation 4. Intensification of violence 5. Tension abates in northern Bujumbura suburbs Political 6. Mbeki mediates 7. Latest events Coordination 8. Contact Group meeting 9. GTS HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES 1. WFP brings aid to Burundi civilians displaced in clashes between rebel groups Following two weeks of fighting between two rebel groups that has led to the displacement of an estimated 50,000 civilians in the east and north-west of the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, food from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached about 18,000 displaced persons in Mpanda Commune. WFP assisted over 26,000 persons in Mubimbi Commune with an emergency ration amounting to 144 tons of food for 10 days. WFP began the distribution of the Seeds Protection Rations (SPR) throughout the country. Last week, 1,858 tons were distributed to more than 169,000 farmers in Ngozi, Muramvya, Ruyigi, Gitega and Bujumbura Rural provinces. Over the next month, the WFP and its implementing partner CARE are targeting more than 150,000 vulnerable farming households with food aid. Some 750,000 people will benefit from the project, which is part of a coordinated programme with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO is providing more than 210,000 farming households in Burundi with seeds and hoes and the WFP is providing food rations to ensure the farmers have enough food and do not eat their seeds. 2. CRS launches agricultural recovery campaign The International NGO Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has launched its 2004 agricultural recovery campaign in Burundi, aimed at enabling 26,000 families to access US$ 120,000, worth of seeds, the agency told IRIN on Thursday [2 October]. CRS said it would conduct 27 seed fairs in three of Burundi’s provinces, including seven in war-plagued Bubanza Province, in collaboration with a local CRS partner, the Diocesan Development Bureau of Bubanza. A total of 4,000 households in Bubanza would be served, and an estimated $ 20,000 would be injected into the local economy. Meanwhile, in Muyinga and Kirundo provinces, an additional 7,000 households and 15,000 beneficiaries would be reached respectively. 3. Returnees as at 27 September 2003 UNHCR: Report 23,232 facilitated, 38, 206 spontaneous returnees. Total: 61,438 Y.T.D. SITUATION REPORT 29 September-5 October 2003 SECURITY 4. Intensification of violence in most parts of the country by CNDD-FDD rebels In Ruyigi Province, five civilians and five rebels were killed in week-end violence in the restless central African state of Burundi, according to government sources. Members of the CNDD-FDD killed the civilians in an overnight attack Saturday [4 October] on two small communities at Bweru, said Provincial Governor Isaac Bujaba. During the week, the Head of Zone Nyabitare was kidnapped and killed [1 October] at Migende, Gisuru Commune. The day before [30 September], the Director of the communal college of Gisuru was attacked home and killed. Two soldiers were also wounded in a CNDD-FDD rebel attack [28 September] on the military position of Nyamutobo. One person was killed two abducted during a CNDD-FDD rebel attack. In Bubanza Province, clashes between FNL and CNDD-FDD rebels continued [29 September] in Bigume, Karengane and Bitavuka areas of Rugazi zone. In Musigati Commune, armed men in military clothes laid an ambush to a vehicle [1 October]. In Gitega Province, the Head of Nyamugari sector was shot dead. In Muramvya Province, approximately 200 rebels attacked Masango area [eve of 29 September] where they stole money, bicycles and cows before withdrawing to the Kibira forest. 5. Tension abates in northern Bujumbura suburbs On Tuesday [30 September], security forces sealed off Kamenge, after receiving reports of the possible infiltration of the FNL and CNDD-FDD. The Army arrested 36 people in Kamenge according to the administrator, Mathias Barimwabi. In the neighbouring suburb of Kinama, the suburb’s administrator, Jean Berchmans Nsabimana told IRIN the situation had improved following the declaration of a curfew. POLITICAL 6. Mbeki mediates in difficult talks between Burundi government, rebels South African President Thabo Mbeki joined negotiations between the President of Burundi and its main rebel leader Sunday [5 October]. 7. Latest events · Opening Monday [29 September] the 15th session of the IMC (Implementation and Monitoring Commission for the Arusha Agreement). · The National Commission for the Rehabilitation of war victims (CNRS) is implementing reception mechanisms of displaced and refugees. The CNRS budget for 2004 is 150 million Fbu. · Military personnel attend training seminar on human rights during armed conflicts. · Negotiations between government and Burundi magistrates union resumed Monday [29 September]. · UNICEF presented its cooperation plan 2004-2006 to the Government of Burundi [30 Sept.-1 Oct.]. · President Domitien Ndayizeye returns from US visit [2 October]. COORDINATION 8. Contact Group meeting Mr Sene, Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. chaired [1 October]. Participants: 36. Ms Anne Marie (Action Aid) Focal Point for Ruyigi Province presented the minutes of their meeting [20 August]. 9. GTS Held on Monday [29 September]. Participants discussed displacement in Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza and Kayanza provinces and references for the mission to Gitega [30 Septembrer-1October]. For Information Nicholas McGowan, Head of Information, PH: (257) 951 681, E-mail: [email protected].