Press Release: EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid for the Burundian crisis (17.12.2015)

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The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country.

The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country. The additional support brings total Commission humanitarian aid to help the Burundian people to €14 million in 2015.

More than 220 000 people, over half of whom are children, are estimated to have left the country since April this year to neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

“The humanitarian situation affecting Burundians is worsening. The refugee numbers are rising, with almost a quarter of a million people having now fled their homes. This is extremely worrying – both for Burundi, and for the neighbouring countries whose hosting capabilities have been stretched to the limit. Hosting government’s efforts in welcoming those who fled the violence are commendable. This additional EU funding will help address the refugees’ most pressing needs, notably in Tanzania. It will also contribute to humanitarian protection activities inside Burundi.” said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

The most urgent humanitarian needs to address remain shelter, water and sanitation, as well as health assistance to stop the possible surge of diseases and epidemics, notably cholera.

Background:

Following the announcement on 25 April 2015 that President Pierre Nkurunziza would seek a third mandate, provoking serious political division, Burundi has undergone a sustained political and security crisis  – this crisis brought with it a surge in the number of refugees.

Tanzania has received the highest number of Burundian refugees so far (nearly 117 000) mostly to the Nyarugusu refugee camp, which was already hosting some 60 000 Congolese refugees. Nyarugusu has consequently become one of the largest and most overcrowded refugee camps in the world. While two news camps are under construction to decongest Nyarugusu, living conditions there continue to be dire. Hundreds of people still live in overcrowded mass shelters months after their arrival, while wet floors and cramped conditions increase risks of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.

UNCHR – Burundian Refugees in Tanzania – Daily Statistics (30.08.2015)

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UNHCR Map – Burundi Situation: Displacement of Burundians into neighbouring countries (as of 20. July 2015)

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My thoughts after seeing the UNHCR Refugee Map of fleeing Burundian people to neighbouring countries: 

If you calculate the numbers from the UNHCR the numbers are staggering. The number of refugees from Burundi in neighboring countries is totally 177,503 people. That is a giant number and in my country that would be a big town and great urban area of people. So if this numbers doesn’t make your mind bubble and think about the situation in Burundi, because well, that amount of people wouldn’t leave if there wasn’t reasons. So now we’re in a situation where the Transit camps and Refugee camps are getting filled. There been worries about the situation in the DRC or Democratic Republic of Congo, because of the old refugees after the Rwanda crisis and the DRC wars has made the situation in the Kivu’s regions will make tensions if the reports are right. Let’s hope that the people who have fled from Burundi will get into a good space. Or in a short amount of time go back and feel safe in their home country. Peace.

Press Release: EAC deploys Regional Medical and Public Health Emergency Support Teams to Refugee Camps in Kigoma, Tanzania and Eastern Province of Rwanda (13.07.2015)

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