OCHA Situation Report
Burundi Situation Report
11 - 23 January 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Highlights

Update on cholera breakout in Bujumbura Town: as of 24 January, 153
cholera cases were registered including one death. Before the
declaration of the epidemic, 4 deaths were reported at the place of
residence due to lack of knowledge about the gravity of the disease. All
zones of Bujumbura Town but Kinindo Zone, were affected by the epidemic,
Kamenge being the most affected with 86 cases. The situation is now
under control with the number of cases decreasing: free of charge
treatment is being provided in public health facility, the medical NGO
Medecins Sans Frontieres opened its specialized cholera treatment centre
in Kamenge, public awareness campaign is underway, improvement of water
sources and sanitation as well as strengthening the system of
surveillance. Many poor neighbourhoods lack water because the water
utility, Regideso, cut supplies to public fountains due to unpaid bills.
The situation, however, remains precarious with the current structural
condition requiring diligent attention to avoid further spread of the
disease, with 7 cases notified in Bujumbura Rural neighbourhoods close
to the zones of Kinama and Buterere of Bujumbura city. The Ministry of
Health responded to the epidemic with the support of MSF and partners
such as UNICEF, the WHO and other NGOs.

Bujumbura Rural: public infrastructures including primary schools,
houses and crops have reportedly been severely damaged due to hail storm
that hit Mutambu Commune on 23 January. Some persons who were wounded
while sheltering are being treated in the local health centre supported
by MSF-Swiss.

As of 23 January, UNHCR reports 2,008 facilitated and 277 spontaneous
returnees. Total: 2,285 returnees. With regard to refugees in Burundi,
the local press has reported threats of attack against Banyamulenge
refugees since 21 January. The alleged threats, which are directed
against Banyamulenge refugees who are staying in Gihinga (Mwaro) and
Gasorwe (Muyinga) camps as well as in the Ngagara neighborhood
(Bujumbura Mairie), are similar to the ones that were made prior to the
tragic attack on the Gatumba transit centre. UNHCR, ONUB together with
Burundi authorities immediately coordinated their efforts in order to
take appropriate measures to provide security to the camps and in the
Ngagara neighbourhood.

Despite joint efforts by the Government of Burundi and the UNHCR to
sensitize all Congolese refugees to relocate to Gasorwe and Mwaro inland
sites where security, protection and assistance are granted, some
Banyamulenge Congolese refugees refused and preferred to remain in
Ngagara dismantled site.

2 Activities

Food aid: last week, more than 180,000 beneficiaries, have received some
1,500 tons of food aid through various activities (targeted
distributions to drought affected, school feeding, refugees, nutritional
programs, food for work, etc...) throughout the country. In the Northern
provinces only, some 635 metric tons of food have been distributed in
Kirundo and Muyinga - benefiting to some 15, 000 households.

IDPs,Reconciliation: Search For Common Ground NGO held a two-day
workshop seminar (18-19 January) for IDP in Musongati site (Rutana) and
their neighbours who remained in the collines.

The initiative aimed at creating a framework for a dialogue /exchange to
allow gradual reconciliation between IDPs and people who remained in the
hills of origin.

During these two days, participants discussed the state of social
relations between IDPs and their former neighbours and the issue of
IDPs' return in their property.

Education: supported by UNICEF, the Government of Burundi, through the
Ministry of Education launched the United Nations girl's education
initiative (UNGEI) during a two-day workshop (24-25 January). Five key
ministries and UN agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO and WFP attended the
launching ceremony.

3 Coordination

Contact Group: the meeting was held on 19 January and chaired by the
Humanitarian Coordinator, Ibrahima D. Fall. WHO representative presented
the referral system of obstetrical emergency cases in Karusi Province.
The Child soldier national structure supported by UNICEF presented an
update on the demobilization and reintegration of demobilized child
soldiers.

OCHA Ruyigi sub office, in collaboration with the provincial
administration held a meeting with actors in the province in order to
improve coordination of field interventions. Sub sectoral groups were
approved. A similar meeting will also be organized in the coming days in
Makamba Province

4 Security and access

Mr Isaie Bigirimana, Governor of Burundi's north-western province of
Bubanza was assassinated as his vehicle was ambushed in Gihanga Commune
on 23 January. Burundi's Interior Minister Simon Nyandwi as well as Army
spokesperson blamed the FNL rebel movement, which said it had nothing to
do with the assassination.

Bujumbura Rural: on 17 January, fighting was reported between the FAB
and FNL rebels in Mugendo area in Nyabiraba Commune. IRC could not
conduct its activities. On 23 January, widespread looting of households
was reported as a consequence of military operations that were jointly
conducted by the FAB/FDD in Kamesa area.

For Information

Adelaide Habonimana, Information Assistant
PH: (257) 910 196
E-mail: habonimanaa@un.org

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