Shelling in Burundi takes toll among civilians

(Bujumbura: 10 July 2003) Fighting between rebels and government forces in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, has killed up to twenty civilians, injured as many as 100 and displaced some 5,000 more since Monday.
Clashes between the Palipehutu-FNL (Agathon Rwasa) and the Armed Forces of Burundi (FAB) erupted in the southern neighborhoods of Bujumbura on Monday morning. Mortar rounds that exploded in densely populated locations within Bujumbura, including the main Market Place, the Central Bank of Burundi and Prince Louis Rwagasore Hospital, have killed at least two civilians. According to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Burundi, Mr. Sunil Saigal, no accurate figure exists for the total number of civilian injuries or deaths. "As many as 200 people have been admitted to the numerous hospitals and clinics run by national authorities and international non-governmental organizations", said Mr. Saigal.

Civilians in Bujumbura report that both the rebels and military have actively encouraged civilians to flee the conflict areas. An estimated 2,000 displaced people, mostly women and children have been temporarily located in the grounds of the Burundi Life Museum (Musée Vivant).

They have received high-protein biscuits from UNICEF, water from the International Committee for the Red Cross, and medical support from the NGO Medecins Sans Frontiers. Another group of roughly 3,000 IDPs have reportedly sought shelter at a secondary school run by Catholic priests in Bujumbura's Kanyosha neighborhood. The condition of the group in Kanyosha, however, is unknown because security conditions do not permit humanitarian workers to reach those areas. The plight of unaccompanied children and separated families remains a core concern.

The spread of fighting into Bujumbura punctuates a marked deterioration of security in Burundi. Now, 16 of Burundi's 17 provinces are subjected to sporadic fighting, looting and armed banditry. At this time last year, only six of the country's 17 provinces were subject to frequent conflict, while the other 11 were open to and in need of rehabilitation and development.

"The impact of continued fighting on civilians and social infrastructure is devastating," said Mr. Saigal. In addition to the 281,000 Burundians living in formal camps for the internally displaced, an estimated 100,000 Burundians are temporarily displaced each month, frequently forced to flee their homes as their neighborhoods erupt into fighting, leaving their livelihoods behind. Almost one in six Burundians continues to live away from their homes.

According to the UN's Human Development Index, Burundi is the third poorest country in the world. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Burundi in 1993, the hostilities have claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000 people, the vast majority of whom were civilians.

The President, Domitien Ndayizeye, is in Europe for meetings aimed at stirring up international support for this tiny war-stricken nation. To date, only $18.2 million--just 26.4 per cent of the funds required under the United Nations 2003 Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Burundi--have been pledged.

For further information, please call:

Nicholas McGowan, 257 951 681 (OCHA Bujumbura)
Stephanie Bunker 212 963 1143 (OCHA NY)