Burundi: Displacement continues in Bujumbura

(Bujumbura, 11 July): Shelling of the capital continued yesterday, with no less than seven mortars striking different parts of the city of Bujumbura. An additional three mortars landed in the northeastern suburb of Gihosha yesterday evening, wounding four civilians. A brief pause in the shelling overnight was short lived when fighting resumed mid-morning today. Most workers have stayed home, and many businesses remain closed again for the second day running.
Displaced populations of concern to the United Nations have sought temporary refuge in the southern suburbs. IDPs are now congregating in significant numbers at the Petit Seminaire of Kanyosha, in Musaga,and the Pentecostal Church (Eglise pentecôtiste) in Kinindo.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) today expressed concern for the inaccessible populations in the south, particularly in Bujumbura Rural where closed highways have prevented any humanitarian access since fighting began on Monday.

"As the fighting moves and spreads into the interior of the country the international aid community must remain vigilant in their endeavor to assist and protect civilians. Their exposure to conflict and relative isolation from the capital makes them particularly vulnerable", said Mr Antoine Gerard, Head of Office, UNOCHA.

A large group of IDPs has also gathered at the National Unity Monumentin Vugizo (an eastern suburb overlooking the capital). Thousands of people (mostly women and children) from Bujumbura Rural have sought refuge at the Monument, where since yesterday,SOLIDARITÉS have distributed BP5 (high protein biscuits), blankets and soap provided by UNICEF.

The government has now registered 15,000 displaced people from Kanyosha, Musaga and Kinindo (southern suburbs) temporarily relocated in the Burundi Life Museum grounds (Musée vivant). United Nations agencies in cooperation with International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have facilitated the delivery of BP5 (high protein biscuits) from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 7-day food rations from World Food Programme (WFP), non-food items from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), construction of (15) IDP shelters by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), water from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), medical assistance by MSF-Belgium. Other assistance has been provided by Oxfam-Quebec and Arche de Noé.

United Nations national staff have been advised that they should not come to work if it exposes them to unacceptable risks.