This report was issued by Burundi office. It covers the period from 25 May to 7 June 2009. The next report will be issued on or around 2 July 2009.
HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
- Repatriation of Burundian refugees
- Identification of potential sites for rural integrated villages and of their beneficiaries
- Crop and Food Supply Assessment
- Livestock restocking programme for vulnerable households
I. Situation Overview
The situation in the country was relatively calm. The main highlight of the reporting period was the end of the South African facilitation's mandate in the Burundian Peace Process and the handover of activities to the Government. The Government will be supported in its task of completing the DDR and political processes by the Partnership for Peace in Burundi which consists of the African Union, the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region and the BINUB. The FNL leadership was also attributed positions in National Institutions.
Former FNL combatants awaiting demobilisation packages organised a violent protest demanding demobilization fee and return kit they were promised. This event is, however, unlikely to disrupt the political process. Humanitarian activities have gone on unhindered.
II. Humanitarian Needs and Response
Repatriation of Burundian refugees
Statistics
During the period between 25 May and 7 June 09, 3,688 returnees arrived to Burundi, including 1,391 Burundian refugees who returned from Rwanda, 10 from the DRC and 2,287 from Tanzania. Among the returnees from Tanzania, 236 arrived from Mtabila refugee camp (mostly 1993 refugees) and 2,051 from the Katumba Old Settlement (1972 refugees).
Since the beginning of this year, 12,686 Burundian refugees have returned, including 10,487 from Tanzania (6,865 from the Old Settlements and 3,503 from Mtabila), 2,132 from Rwanda, and 67 who returned from elsewhere.
Forcible return of Burundian refugees from Rwanda
A group of 437 Burundian refugees from Kigeme refugee camp (Rwanda) arrived in Burundi on 2 June 09. While repatriation had been voluntary before, returnees from this group indicated that they had been forced to board the buses. This was the final camp from Kigeme, Rwanda's last camp for Burundian refugees, which was subsequently closed. As other returnees from Kigeme, the group received assistance (Food and non food) and cash grant (50 000 FBU) in Mugano transit center before they go to their villages. 256 returnees who have no reference/ address remain in Mugano transit center. UNHCR's Sub-office in Muyinga and its partners will monitor the return conditions of the returnees.
Reintegration of returned refugees
Progress update: Rural integrated villages
During the reporting period, the rural integrated Villages Technical Working Group met in Rumonge to establish identification criteria for returnees and other persons who will be considered for settlement in newly constructed rural integrated villages. Criteria agreed upon were the following:
1. People whose land is occupied by public infrastructure,
2. Returnees whose mediation by the National Commission for Land and Other Properties was not successful,
3. People who have built their houses within the perimeter of Burundi's national palm oil company (OHP) or on the land belonging to the state, and have to be relocated.
Four sites have yet to be identified in the province of Bururi. The first phase concerns 400 houses in two villages.
Meanwhile, a joint evaluation mission (Government, UNHCR) was organized in the provinces of Makamba and Rutana to evaluate potential sites for rural integrated villages. Two sites were agreed upon in Nyabigina (Makamba) and in Butari/Musasa( Makamba), both offering extension possibilities.
Food Security
Food Assistance
WFP is participating in a joint UN/Government "Crop and Food Supply Assessment" Mission (CFSAM) for the agricultural season 2009B. Preliminary results show that this season's performance is better than the harvest for2009A agricultural season (January 2009), even in the Northern provinces which faced food insecurity in January. In Kirundo province which was especially hit, communities were able to harvest enough pulses which are used not only for food but also as currency for non food needs (for clothes, medical expenses, etc.). Currently, WFP is implementing Food for Work interventions aiming at addressing poor soil management and improve the nutritional status of poor household. The activities are carried out in partnership with the Direction Provinciale de l'Agriculture et l'Élevage.
During this reporting period, WFP assisted some 786 returnees from Rwanda at the Mugano transit centre in Muyinga province. A major challenge for the returnees is the lack of access to land. As at 29 May 2009, 207 of the returnees from Rwanda had no land to return to (they are known as "Sans Reference"). WFP continues to provide wet feeding at Transit Centre.
Livestock restocking programme for vulnerable households
FAO's Emergency Response Coordination Unit continues its livestock restocking programme in favour of the vulnerable people. This project targets both repatriates installed in "peace villages" and those who returned to their collines of origin
The goats distrusted are of a local breed (East Africa small goat) are well adapted to the local environment and are well know to the beneficiaries. On the 9,060 goats earmarked for distribution during the first semester of 2009, 7,497 were already distributed to 2,499 households in the provinces of Makamba, Rutana, Ruyigi and Bururi (Rumonge).
The "peace villages" were been assisted in priority: Gitara (Mabanda), Nkudye and Buyaga (Giharo) and Mutambara (Rumonge) for a total of 3,060 goats. Other people with specific vulnerability are also supported. For the period of May 25 to June 6, 1,020 goats was distributed in Rutana (communes of Bukemba and Rutana). Beneficiaries also receive a veterinary kit which they are trained to use.
Protection and community reintegration of returnees
The Legal Aid Clinic Project of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) successfully mediated 14 disputes in the communes of Mabanda, Nyanza-Lac, and Rumonge. Out of 14 disputes, 13 were related to land and 1 to family and civil law. In addition, ACCORD conducted 3 conflict management and legal matter trainings in the communes of Mabanda, Gitega, and Rumonge for 75 local community leaders.
21 people received legal advice from ACCORD where after they were referred to either Avocats sans Frontières (ASF), or to relevant judiciary institutions. These initiatives assisted towards the reintegration of returnees into communities, with the promotion of reconciliation, as well as with the protection of the rights of returnees.
Contact:
Please contact:
Bujumbura: Ndamama Sheila, Information Management Assistant ndamama@un.org, +257 22 20 55 58
Bujumbura : Kubwayezu Floribert, Field Analyst kubwayezu@un.org, + 257 22 20 51 60
For more information, please visit http://ochaonline.un.org/burundi
