Rectification:
Two errors were made in the last report regarding the status and activities
of Action Contre la Faim. First, it was incorrectly reported that
Action Contre la Faim was terminating its nutrition programmes in the refugee
camps due to financial difficulties when, in fact, this is not the case.
The period for Action Contre la Faim programming in the camps had
come to an end, and they were simply not renewed by the organisation. Furthermore,
it was wrongly indicated that Action Contre la Faim would continue work
in six IDP camps in Ngozi. Action Contre la Faim does not work in
the camps, but in six public health centres. It is evaluating the
possibility of commencing activities in eight others in the province.
The Humanitarian Coordinator's Office apologises for these errors.
- General:
Intense fighting and insecurity continue to exist in a more recent context of seemingly subdued political reaction in the capital. Rebel attacks and violent clashes between armed insurgents and national forces are now generally concentrated in the central and northwest provinces permitting a period of relative calm in the south. While tension remains high in the central province of Gitega, WFP has been able to implement evaluation missions in various areas of the province and has succeeded in transporting some 110mt of food stocks to the area. Of particular note for this reporting period is the significant number of grenade attacks launched at school sites in Bujumbura, Bururi, and Gitega. Five attacks were reportedly carried out between 5 and 7 May.
Insecurity in the country has made itself most evident by the thousands of Burundian refugees pouring out of the country at both its east and west border areas. An intensification of fighting in Karuzi and Cankuzo provinces has resulted in the arrival of an estimated 85 refugees per day to Ngara since the beginning of the week. As previously reported, Burundians from the northwest provinces of Cibitoke, and to a lesser extent, Bubanza are crossing into Uvira in the thousands. On 10 May, UNHCR Uvira reported that some 16,700 Burundians had taken refuge in Uvira since 29 April.
In response to the Secretary-General's report of 3 May on Burundi to the Security Council, consultations are underway among various member states to evaluate their readiness to participate in a multinational humanitarian intervention according to the terms of Resolution 1049. Thus far, no member state has volunteered to lead in the planning and deployment of such an operation.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed new governors for Gitega and Karuzi provinces on 8 May. A military officer, Lt. Col Gabriel Gunungu, was named for the latter, replacing a Frodebu civilian.
The new Special Envoy of the High Commissioner for Refugees for the Great Lakes region, Mr. Chefeke Dessalegn, made a visit to Burundi from 6 to 10 May. Mr. Chefeke Dessalegn is charged with the coordination of UNHCR humanitarian activities in the region and UNHCR liason functions with the governments of Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zaire, and Uganda.
US Special Envoy, Ambassador Richard Bogosian, visited Burundi from 7 to 10 May to speak with Government officials regarding issues of human rights. During his stay, the Envoy and Coordinator for Rwanda and Burundi met with the President, Prime Minister and other high level Government authorities. His visit was followed by the arrival of US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Mr. John Shattuck, in Bujumbura on 11 May. Mr. Shattuck is visiting the country as part of an information tour of the region.
Electricity was restored to the capital on 7 and 8 May with energy from generators after power pylons were destroyed in Bubanza some 15 days ago. - Security:
It was reported by Belgian sources that an attack on civilians was made by either Government forces or extremist Tutsis at the central market in Kivyuka, Bubanza on 3 May. Casualty figures vary though it is believed that at least 200 persons were killed. MIOB observers were not allowed access to the site immediately following. The National Army has reportedly sent a team to Bubanza to conduct investigations.
Allegations of military killings in Bubanza came one week after a report of 234 dead in Mutoyi, Gitega on 26 April, allegedly as a result of a military operation in the Buhoro area. On 8 May, the National Security Committee sent a newly-created commission to Gitega to investigate the mass killing.
On 8 May, an attack was launched at the Johnson Centre in Kamenge, Bujumbura where some 5,000 displaced persons are located. Six displaced persons were killed and another 30 wounded.
According to an MSF press statement released in relation to the incident, the MSF Mobile Unit arrived at the site near 06h30. The team provided immediate medical care to the wounded and transferred two severely injured persons to the Prince Regent Hospital. Victims of the incident suffered primarily from gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
As previously mentioned, a series of grenade attacks at school sites has occurred over the last week. On 5 March, a grenade exploded at the Mutanga Campus in Bujumbura injuring one student. On 6 May, another grenade detonated at a secondary school in Kiremba, Bururi. Fifteen persons were injured. Finally, on the night of 7 May, shooting and grenade explosions were reported near three secondary schools in central Gitega, namely Gitega, Musinzira, and Nyabiharage. No one was injured and only material damage was reported. Local authorities have instructed students to remain calm and are working on ways to assure their security.
A Government functionary and member of the RPB (Rassemblement du Peuple de Burundi) was assassinated in central Bujumbura in the late afternoon of 6 May.
Armed robberies involving humanitarian personnel and other members of the international community have continued to occur with increasing frequency in Bujumbura. On 10 May, a Belgian national was shot and injured during an attempted robbery at his residence. On 11 May, two other internationals fell victim to armed robberies in Bujumbura.
The Government of Zaire closed its border with Burundi on 6 May. Burundian authorities had already closed their side of the border in mid-April in an effort to impede rebel infiltrations and arms trafficking. As a result of the closure, no humanitarian vehicles or staff have been able to make the transfer. By mid-week, even Bujumbura air traffic was obliged to pass through Kigali before landing in Bukavu. - Rwandan/Burundian Refugees:
UNHCR reports that Burundian refugees are exiting the country at both east and west border points. In the Northeast, some 85 persons have been crossing the border each day since the beginning of the week. These refugees are being received by UNHCR Ngara at Keza camp.
In the northwest, Burundians continue to pour into Zaire from Cibitoke where there has been a renewed intensification of fighting since the end of April. UNHCR Uvira reports that 3,200 persons arrived at Luvungi camp on 8 May; another 2,800 on 9 May, and nearly 1,000 as of mid-morning on 10 May. These refugees are being registered, screened and then transferred to Luberizi camp.
While a small portion of these refugees
are coming from Bubanza, the majority are fleeing Cibitoke and crossing
the border near Matama. New arrivals are reportedly in fairly good
health, and there are few wounded. According to UNHCR, over 16,700
refugees have arrived in Uvira since 29 April.
UNHCR reports another week of high repatriation figures for the Rwandan
refugee camps in the Northeast. Figures for the month of May are
as follows:
| May 2 | 108 |
| May 3 | 63 |
| May 7 | 89 |
| May 9 | 697 |
| TOTAL | 957 |
UNHCR indicates a current refugee caseload of 89,745.
Four refugees were killed during the night of 5 May in Ruvumu camp. Following this, UNHCR addressed a letter to the Ministry of Interior appealing for a formal investigation into their deaths. The National Army is to be looking into the incident.
UNHCR is planning a pilot project in Kirundo which will provide temporary housing for some 500 repatriates and displaced persons in the province. The project is still in the evaluation and analysis stage though UNHCR envisages to commence construction of the houses once necessary information is collected for project implementation.
4. Internally Displaced Persons:
The WFP team deployed to Gitega was able to make assessments in Buraza and Mutoyi at the beginning of the week. WFP distribution was to start in Buraza on 9 May for 5,500 displaced persons. Distributions at other sites will be implemented following the completion of assessments and beneficiary lists. Local authorities estimate that there may be as many as 160,000 displaced persons in the province. ICRC has not yet recommenced activities in the area.
In Karuzi, MSF Belgium continued to support activities in the Buhiga Hospital and health centres as well as emergency assistance intervention in a number of IDP camps of the province. ICRC implemented a distribution of non-food items in the northeastern section of Karuzi. WFP, for its part, conducted an evaluation mission in Karuzi on 8 May. WFP plans to commence a Food-for-Work project in Karuzi in May. The project will involve the employment of 3,100 displaced persons for the rehabilitation of 108 km of roads and the clean-up of Karuzi urban centre.
WFP will also soon begin a Food-for-Work programme involving 100 displaced persons in Ngozi. These displaced will carry out maintenance work for 100km of road in Tangara commune.
ICRC activites in the Northwest included evaluation missions in Cibitoke and the completion of seven wells in Gihanga, Bubanza. Water previously transported to Gihanga by UNICEF will no longer be provide necessary, at least in the short-term, as a result of the digging of these wells. However, the agency will continue to provide sanitation assistance in the area.
In Bujumbura-rural, ICRC made a distibution in Rutango. UNICEF delivered water to displaced persons camps and health centres in Mutimbuzi.
In Bujumbura, WFP implemented a distribution of reinstallation packages to a third group of returnees in Kinama. The third group numbered 5,206. According to local authorities, there are now a total of some 12,000 returnees in the zone. UNICEF met with school directors in Kinama this week to identify needs in the education sector as well as in the domain of sanitation and hygiene education. Also, in collaboration with UNICEF, CARITAS has begun health assistance activities in health centres in the zone.
Furthermore, UNICEF delivered water to some 2,000 IDPS in Vugizo camp, Rohero, Bujumbura. The agency also followed up on the construction of 12 latrines in Gatumba for a beneficiary population of 2,208 persons.
5. Coordination of Humanitarian Activities:
The Humanitarian Coordinator met with NGO representatives on 9 May during their weekly CLIO coordination meeting. Topics of discussion were, among others, the seminar on aid to displaced, dispersed and repatriated persons being organised by UNDP and the MRRDR, GoB/UN/NGO security coordination, and UN/NGO liason.
After the preparation of individual contingency planning reports, the Humanitarian Coordinator met with UN humanitarian agencies on 8 May to discuss common approaches and strategies for the second contingency scenario previously developed by the Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Unit. UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO are now working together to identify joint lines of entry for supplies, emergency operations offices, distribution points, provincial itineraries, and the like.
The Coordinator for the UNDP/WHO Continuum Programme, Health Section, arrived in Burundi during the course of the week. He will help manage WHO medical support activities in Bujumbura, Kayanza, Muramvya, and Bururi.
6. Sources of Information:
- UN Field Security Office Meeting
(8 May)
- UN Field Security Office Report (covering 5 to 8 May)
- WFP Weekly Update (covering 1 to 7 May)
- Humanitarian Coordinator Meeting with the CLIO
- NGO Coordination Committee (9 May)
- UN Inter-Agency Contingency Planning Unit Meetings (8 and 10 May)
- UNICEF Special Mission and Weekly Water/Sanitation Reports
- MSF Press Release (9 May)
- UNHCR Information Officer
- WHO Information Officer
- National and International Press
- Regular contacts with relief organisations
OFFICE OF THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR
UNDP
P.B. 1490 BUJUMBURA
BURUNDI
Tel: +257 223135
Fax: +257 225850
Email: fo.bdi@undp.org
This document is distributed via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network. Tel: +254 2 444338; e-mail:
irin@dha.unon.org