From irin@dha.unon.org Mon Oct 21 14:55:54 1996 Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 11:44:49 +0300 (GMT+0300) From: UN DHA IRIN - Great Lakes To: irinwire@dha.unon.org Subject: Burundi: UN Humanitarian Situation Report Oct 2 - 9 96.10.9 OFFICE OF THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR UNDP P.B. 1490 BUJUMBURA BURUNDI Tel: +257 223135 Fax: +257 225850 BURUNDI HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT OCTOBER 2 TO OCTOBER 9 With a new regional summit on Burundi taking place later this week in Arusha, a succession of high-level visitors have come to Burundi in recent days, searching for a break through in the country's protracted crisis. There are signs of progress, the national assembly officially met on Oct. 7 for the first time since the July coup. But most observers see the reinstitution of the national assembly as largely a symbolic gesture, with the legislative body likely to play only a limited role in shaping government policies. While elements of both sides of the conflict continue to say they would support a negotiated settlement, it is far from clear if those elements have the internal support they need to sit at the negotiating table. Indeed, in separate statements issued during the week, both the head of Uprona and a major Tutsi youth militia strongly hinted that if President Buyoya held talks with Hutu rebels, then they would withdraw their support for his government. While Tutsi power brokers have expressed increasing skepticism about the value of negotiations, both regional and international leaders have made it clear that the sanctions will not be lifted unless there is concrete evidence that negotiations with the Hutu majority are underway. Two months of sanctions have blocked lucrative coffee exports and weakened the economy, leading to lost jobs and risking the erosion of Buyoya's support. 1. General *With a new regional summit on Burundi due to take place in Arusha on October 12, diplomatic efforts to encourage negotiations have stepped up. After nearly four days of talks, President Clinton's special envoy Howard Wolpe left Bujumbura October 3. He was not optimistic about an early solution to the crisis and told reporters that there was "a long way to go" before a lasting settlement could be established. Wolpe's visit was followed by separate visits by UN Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and European Union representative Aldo Ajello. Ajello told reporters that Buyoya's decision to restore parliament and political parties was a "step forward." He added that it would be unrealistic to expect the Arusha summit to lead directly to negotiations, but that "one can expect a framework in which negotiations can take place." *Uprona chairman Charles Mukasi, whose withdrawal from the former government was one of the precursors of the July coup, has denounced calls by Wolpe and others for a cease fire followed by negotiations. "This can not be envisaged with people who don't fight face to face, and with the genocidal people who don't want to stop killing innocent civilians," he said, referring to Hutu rebels. The Tutsi youth faction Sodajem also warned Buyoya that negotiations with Hutu rebels would be tantamount to high treason. In the past, Buyoya has said that he is willing to negotiate with Hutu rebels if they were first willing to lay down their arms and renounce their "genocidal ideology". *In an opening speech, Parliamentary Speaker Leonce Ngendakumana quoted from a speech Buyoya delivered during his first presidency supporting democracy as an institution. Earlier in the week, he said that parliament should play "a middle role" in the conflict and represent "those without weapons." But the body is unlikely to begin its legislative functions anytime soon. Although over 30 deputies attended the October 7 parliamentary session, Frodebu Secretary General Augustin Nzojibwami said his party's deputies would not vote on legislation, nor allow the institution to function until several conditions were met. Nzojibwami told reporters that his party insisted on the restoration of the constitution, introduction of an electoral code and a negotiated settlement of the on-going civil war. "The parliament will not function unless we have those three texts. At the moment, we can not work," he said. *Plans for a U.S.- backed African crisis force are moving ahead, although it is still unclear if the force would be under the direct control of the UN Security Council. In a press briefing before Secretary of State Warren Christopher's trip to Arusha and elsewhere in Africa later this week, U.S. officials said that the 10,000 man force would establish safe havens for civilians, and would seek to avoid direct engagements with warring factions. The troops, provided by OAU members but funded in part by the U.S., would be sent to countries like Burundi where civil war or campaigns of genocide threaten massive civilian casualties. 2.Security Skirmishes reportedly continue in Muramvya province and to the south of Bujumbura along National Route 3, the road linking the city with Rumonge. Troops were also said to be in action in the Teza region northeast of the capital, and south of the Kibera mountains where Hutu rebels have long held sway. Several ambushes were reported on National Route 2 between Muramvya and Gitega and on National Route 3 near Ruziba. Both roads are closed to UN traffic. In light of possible unrest as the Arusha meetings approach, the US embassy has advised American citizens in the country to take extra precautions. In an Oct. 4 message sent out to American citizens, the embassy advised Americans to restrict travel after dark to areas frequented by the expatriate community and to ensure that gatherings in local establishments include groups of at least three. Electricity in the city continues to be sporadic although it is still unclear if more pylons have been sabotaged. 3. Affected Populations Hundreds of Banyamulenge, persons of Rwandan origin living in South Kivu, have crossed into Burundi over the past week as unrest in eastern Zaire continues to grow. According to UNHCR, there are now some 800 Banyamulenge in Burundi, with approximately 300 of them in strife-torn Cibitoke province. With the collaboration of the Burundian government, WFP and UNHCR have provided assistance to the recently arrived refugees, but will soon limit assistance to the Gihanga camp now being constructed at a site north of the Bujumbura airport. With harassment of the Banyamulenge continuing in Zaire, humanitarian agencies are preparing for the possibility of a larger inflow of refugees into Burundi. Burundians continue to flee to neighboring countries. UNHCR reports that approximately 80 per day are crossing into Tanzania, while approximately 20 per day are crossing into Zaire. Given the recent insecurity in Zaire's South Kivu province, the number currently seeking refuge in that province is significantly lower than in the past. The reintegration of war-affected Burundians living in the former refugee camps in northern Burundi continues, with 91 moving from Ngara on September 27 to communes in Ngozi province, leaving 383 in the former camp, 600 in Ntamba camp and 1,000 in the former Rukuramigabo camp. Rwandan authorities forced 392 Burundian refugees from Kibangira camp in Cyangugu to return to Cibitoke province on September 30. UNHCR has contacted the Rwandan government concerning the incident. WHO and medical NGOs operating in Burundi report growing incidences of infectious illnesses. According to MSF-France, there have been approximately 45 cases of meningitis in Kirundo since September 24, with 12 fatalities. The NGO further reports that the number of new cases dropped off almost as quickly as they occurred. An adequate quantity of drugs have been pre-positioned in the province to respond to new outbreaks. Several NGOs, including MSF-Belgium, are reporting a significant increase in the number of cases of bacillary dysentery. In Ruyigi, there are now approximately 1,500 cases, a four fold increase in the number of reported cases earlier this summer. There are also reports of a similar outbreak in Karuzi province. IMC has also reported cases in Rutana. Although bacillary dysentery outbreaks are often seasonal, health officials are particularly concerned that their ability to contain outbreaks may be curtailed by sanctions-induced fuel and drug shortages. WHO reports 200 cases of typhoid in Muramvya over the reporting period. The outbreak is tied to the increased number of people crowding in Muramvya town to escape fighting in the region. WHO has sent a medical team to investigate the outbreak. CRS reports that it recently provided used clothes and blankets to approximately 10,000 war affected individuals in Cibitoke province. Transportation and distribution of the goods was carried out by the Burundian government. A WFP needs assessment in Kayanza province will result in emergency relief distributions to approximately 8,000 people recently affected by conflict in the area. The Human Rights Field Office for Burundi has opened a youth camp for 60 children. Through lectures and community development activities, participants are taught how different groups in society must learn to live and work together. Material support for the project is being provided by UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP. 4. Humanitarian Coordination To alleviate the difficulties agencies are facing in trying to import essential medical supplies, the Burundian Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Office of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, has created a logistics coordinating committee. The committee is responsible for collecting information on drug supplies and organizing common, cost-effective transport for new shipments. UNICEF conducted a special airlift of vaccines from Nairobi to Bujumbura with logistical support from WFP. Five hundred kilos of measles and polio vaccines were received, sufficient quantities to vaccinate 150,000 children. Future flights to replenish stocks of tuberculosis and tetanus medicine are also being organized. In collaboration with WFP, FAO is conducting a food and crop assessment throughout the country. FAO is also continuing to assist the NGOs Austrian Relief, Dorkas Aid and CRS in seed multiplication programs. WFP reports that it has received funds from USAID to cover the planned extension of the Ngozi airstrip, and the construction of airstrips in Ruyigi, Karuzi and Muyinga. 5. Impact of Sanctions on the Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance There are now regular ruptures in the supply of essential drugs and of the fuel needed to transport, distribute and undertake essential follow up visits at commune level health centers throughout the country. To help alleviate the situation, the Ministry of Health, through WHO, has provided medical NGOs with 8,000 liters of fuel. Moreover, a number of NGOs and UN agencies including MDM, Caritas, World Vision, UNICEF and WHO have drug supplies outside of Burundi, and because of logistical problems associated with the sanctions, have not been able to transport them to Burundi. There are also approximately 104 mt of drugs ordered by the private sector which are still blocked outside the country. HUMANITARIAN COORDINATION UNIT/DHA P.B. 1490 Bujumbura, BURUNDI tel: 257 22 31 35 fax: 257 22 58 50 [ENDS] [Via the UN DHA Integrated Regional Information Network "Wire" mailing list. 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