Christian Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, and Conseil National des Eglises du Burundi are appealing for assistance to help alleviate the poverty and lack of basic amenities in the communities around Burundi for returning refugees. There are still emergency type needs in the country even with a new democratic government in place and relative peace for the first time for 10-12 years. The government is relying on NGOs and foreign donors to help in relief and rehabilitation activities. There is still a priority to work on building up trust and confidence between different ethnic groups in Burundi, which did not reach the scale of the genocide in Rwanda, but divided many. Burundi is a small country, and mistrust and ethnic clashes can easily spill over into the neighbours, and vice versa.

The recent famine in the North East of the country, caused by a prolonged drought, only compounded the emergency, and is the second consecutive year of drought. The response was fairly quick and two-fold, with FAO and WFP coordinating food and seed deliveries with some NGOs assisting - including Christian Aid from their emergency unit in London and CNEB with ACT Rapid Response funds. This meant that there was a distribution of food and seeds, so that the population would have food and a harvest to fall back on when the rains come. A mosaic virus that decimated the cassava crop, exacerbated the situation even further so that even recently returned refugees had to make their way back into the camps in Kibondo, Tanzania. This appeal will be implemented from July 2006 to March 2007 in the provinces of Cankuzo, Kirundi, Karuzi, Muyinga, Rugigi and Rutana, providing shelter, seeds, and non food items for returning refugees.

Project Completion Date: March 2007

Reporting Schedule

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

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office