United Nations seeks US$ 108 million for humanitarian activities in Burundi

Bujumbura, 27.11.01
The United Nations Country Team in Burundi and partner organizations announced today that they are appealing for US$ 107,865,224 to address immediate humanitarian needs and to assist Burundians to bridge the gap towards a period of transition.

Burundi is at a critical juncture: the implementation of the proposed transitional government, on 01 November 2001, is a significant step forward. Two unsuccessful coup attempts made at key junctures in the Arusha peace process, however, highlight existing tensions. A ceasefire agreement with the armed opposition, crucial to attaining sustainable peace, has not been reached so far.

Insecurity continues to hamper access to vulnerable populations and is an issue of major concern to humanitarian actors. The plight of 432,000 Burundians in internal displacement sites continues to dominate the humanitarian agenda. An additional estimated 200,000 are dispersed, surviving under ad-hoc arrangements, making the delivery of humanitarian assistance more difficult, while their needs are still acute. More than 412,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly Tanzania. The unpredictability of the overall situation, however, makes it a major responsibility of the humanitarian community be prepared for large-scale repatriation.

Food insecurity remains high. In 2002, more than 711,000 vulnerable people will be in need of food assistance. Over 2,5 million will be in need of seeds for planting. The situation was further compounded by a severe malnutrition crisis, affecting particularly the northern and northeastern provinces of the country and the outbreak of an unprecedented malaria epidemic, with over 720,000 patients treated in health centres and hospitals at the peak of the epidemic. Large parts of the population are still affected by the after-effects of this combination of crises, while other infectious diseases, and numbers of individuals infected or affected by HIV/Aids constantly increase.

"We must and will ensure that specific attention is given to those who remain most vulnerable after the past years of conflict" says Georg Charpentier, UN Humanitarian Coordinator. "This includes the internally and externally displaced, women, female household heads and unaccompanied children - and the communities who receive them. Generous donor support is absolutely essential to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis."

With the aim to contribute to conditions conducive to the restoration and safeguarding of peace and security in Burundi, overall goals of the humanitarian community in Burundi are to:

• Maintain and further develop capacities of the humanitarian community to respond to emergencies, given the uncertainty of the political situation, the possibility of further internal displacement and the return of refugees
  
  
• Advocate for increased access to beneficiaries to ensure timely delivery of relief assistance
  
  
• Promote and support the national peace and reconciliation process
  
  
• Support the transition from humanitarian relief to transitional programmes, security permitting, particularly in the food security and agriculture section;
  
  
• Enable host communities to receive and reintegrate, in dignity and security, returning populations who were internally displaced or refugees;
  
  
• Support local capacities at all levels through training of personnel and physical reconstruction of public infrastructures;
  
  
• Mainstream gender issues and HIV/AIDS prevention and human rights in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

To achieve these goals, the UN Country Team in Burundi and partner organizations will follow a two pronged strategy, to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all vulnerable groups in the country, including areas where access is difficult as well as to promote the peace process with a series of activities aiming to raise public awareness and to ensure that people can lead dignified, self-sustainable livelihoods.

The Consolidated Appeal 2002 appeals for US$ 38,977,250 to provide emergency food assistance, particularly to the most vulnerable, including the internally displaced and returnees. To enhance self-reliance in food production as well as to assist the recovery process by providing seeds, tools and livestock to improve national capacities for food production, US$ 7,275,000 will be needed. A total of US$ 9,258,649 are appealed for to combat malnutrition and to support local health services. This includes provision of materials and drugs particularly to conflict affected areas and to combat malaria; reduction of morbidity and mortality rates inflicted by infectious diseases and meeting urgent reproductive health needs as well prevention of HIV/AIDS. To improve access to potable water, mainly through rehabilitation of the existing water supply system and hygiene on the household level and in schools through the rehabilitation and/or the reconstruction of latrines US$ 2,923,000 are sought for. To assist recent victims of combat, who often find their homes and livelihoods destroyed and in preparation of a massive return of the internally and externally displaced more than 300,000 people returning home, who require non-food items and shelter as basic package for reintegration, US$ 7,504,528 are needed. To provide disadvantaged children with the necessary means to attend school and to give illiterate adults and adolescents basic education, professional and life skills, US$ 4,345,000 are sought for. To support the peace and reconciliation process, protect vulnerable groups, improve the human rights situation, human rights monitoring and activities related to good governance and the rule of law the UN and its partners appeal for US$ 12,660,405. For reconstruction and rehabilitation projects on the community level and to help creating opportunities for everyone to start a new life, US$ 21,368,000 will be needed. To coordinate humanitarian activities, ensure safe transport of humanitarian actors and improve the security and communications system so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered throughout the country, even in pocket areas of severe unrest and insecurity, the UN in Burundi seeks US$ 3,068,391.

With the objective to include all relevant stakeholders into the Consolidated Appeal Process, OCHA Burundi organized and hosted a workshop to develop a common humanitarian strategy for the year 2002. The workshop held in August 2001 was well attended by representatives of the Burundian Government, UN Country Team (UNCT), donors, NGOs, private sector, media, civil societies and beneficiaries. Participants reviewed changes that occurred in the humanitarian situation during the past 12 months and developed appropriate response strategies. The idea of joint ownership of the Consolidated Appeals was further enhanced by the identification of Lead Agencies, responsible for the coordination and compilation of sector analysis sections and project descriptions.

In 2001, donor response has enabled the humanitarian community to address priority and life-saving concerns. Mobilization of resources to bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance and sustainable social and economic development, as well as for health prevention and education for peace programmes, however, is much needed. Financial support would contribute to conditions conducive to the restoration and safeguarding of peace and security in Burundi.

For further information please contact:

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
B.P. 1490
Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: +257 21 80 34
Fax: +257 21 80 35
E-mail: dha@cbinf.com