Burundi: Relief and recovery

Appeal Target: US$ 626,948

Geneva, 12 June 2007

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this ACT appeal from Burundi ACT members (Christian Aid, Lutheran World Federation, the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi, Norwegian Church Aid and the National Council of Churches of Burundi) is to continue the humanitarian aid that is vital for saving lives and helping the most vulnerable people. This appeal will also focus on supporting the resettlement and stabilisation process by proving relief and recovery activities.

After twelve years of armed conflict, 2007 marks the real start of reconstruction and development efforts. While 2005 saw progress in the peace process in Burundi with the holding of the constitutional referendum, followed by general elections culminating in the inauguration of the new President, Pierre Nkurunziza, 2006 was a much more mixed year in political terms. Living conditions remain difficult after more than a decade of war and large-scale population displacements. The people have limited access to poor quality health services. The insecurity generated in previous years by the fighting has now given way to crime, as part of the population now has no occupation and the disarmament process has not produced the hoped-for results. The country is also vulnerable to the effects of regional pressures and instability. Just under 200 000 registered Burundian refugees remain in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and are supposed to return home. At the same time, the situation in DRC has just come out of a delicate electoral process, which could also trigger an influx of Congolese to swell the ranks of those already in Burundi. Another stream of Rwandan asylum seekers, again fleeing their country in the wake of a crackdown by the Rwandan authorities, is also possible. Finally, on the basis of several needs assessments conducted individually by the ACT members will maintain their multi-sectorial response in 2007, ranging from emergency response to strengthened community-based recovery interventions in support of the most affected populations, including the reintegration of people returning from forced displacement.

Project Completion Date: 31 December 2007

Reporting schedule:

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

- US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

- Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

- UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer Michael Hyden (mhy@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind co-operation.

For further information please contact:

Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Program Officer, Michael Hyden (phone +41 22 791 6040 or mobile phone +41 79 433 0592). ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org

John Nduna, Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office