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Burundi

Burundi Situation Report: 8 - 14 Oct 2007

ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES

Meningitis vaccination campaign in Ruyigi Province

Further to recurrent sporadic meningitis cases in Kinyinya commune/Ruyigi Province, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to organize an immunization campaign for persons deemed at risk in order to boost their immunity. The last campaign was organized over two years ago. Supported by WHO and UNICEF, the MoH will run the campaign from the 22 to 28 October and will target an estimated 25,000 persons. Considering that this activity will use up existing vaccines, the present contingency stock of 50,000 doses will reduce significantly. To prevent a possible shortage, WHO is requesting more funds and contributions towards the purchase of additional vaccines which will be used in responding to any further outbreaks, which are likely to occur between October and December, a period of high meningitis risk.

Update on repatriation and refugees

Over the reporting week, UNHCR registered 1,213 Burundian refugees who arrived from Tanzania through the entry points of Kobero/Muyinga Province (539), Gisuru/Ruyigi Province (294) and Mabanda/Makamba Province (323). Three persons arrived from South Africa (2) and Central African Republic (1). Over the first two weeks in October only 2,366 Burundians have returned against 4,863 returnees registered over the same period in September. This shows a drastic decrease in the number of returnees. In 2007, a total of 28,722 Burundian refugees have returned to their home country from Tanzania and 243 from other countries. So far, 367, 721 Burundians have returned under the UNHCR facilitated repatriation process which began in April 2002. No DRC refugees were transferred from Bujumbura Mairie to Musasa transit center/Ngozi Province.

Assistance to Burundians expelled from Tanzania

The Government project for the reintegration of war-affected persons (PARESI) registered 37 persons (18 families) who arrived from Tanzania through the entry point of Mishiha/Cankuzo Province. Since January 2007, PARESI has recorded 8,537 expelled persons (4,179 families).

Protection: ongoing assistance to unaccompanied children

IRC assisted in repatriating and identifying 5 unaccompanied children and organized monitoring visits to 42 other unaccompanied children. Furthermore, 6 expelled children from Muyinga received a return kit while healthcare is being provided to vulnerable children in Bujumbura (2) and Muyinga (1). School material including notebooks, pens, pencils, and uniforms were distributed to 8 children in Makamba Province. IRC equally provided 22 aluminum sheets for the construction of a house for two unaccompanied children in Muyinga. These children also received food aid assistance comprised of 10 kgs of rice and bars of soap.

Reintegration and Protection of Returnees: NGO mediates land disputes

The Legal Aid Clinic Project of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) continued to mediate over land disputes. Last week, 6 disputes mostly over land were settled in the Provinces of Bururi, Makamba, Ruyigi and Gitega. In addition, 19 people who received legal advice from ACCORD were thereafter referred to either Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) (a partner organization), or to relevant legal institutions. These initiatives assist towards the promotion of reconciliation, protection and reintegration of returnees into communities.

Update on food aid distribution

In collaboration with its implementing partners, WFP distributed 584 MT of food to 163,010 beneficiaries through its different programmes which include nutrition, food for work/food for training, school and refugee feeding as well as assistance to returnees and refugees in Burundi.

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

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