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Burundi + 4 more

UNICEF Burundi Humanitarian Situation Report, January - June 2018

Attachments

Highlights

  • From January to June 2018, 39,361 children (12,810 girls; 26,551 boys) accessed critical protection services, including temporary emergency shelter, psychosocial support, release from detention, family tracing and reunification, medical support, as well as access to education and reintegration opportunities.

  • A total of 24,637 children with severe acute malnutrition (12,813 girls; 11,824 boys) were admitted and treated in 418 UNICEF-supported health facilities (Ministry of Health, May 2018).

  • UNICEF Burundi is facing a serious funding shortfall, with only 13 per cent of 2018 HAC funding available. Without additional funding, UNICEF will not be able to address the essential needs of the children and women of Burundi.

SITUATION IN NUMBERS

1.9 million
Number of children in need
(HNO 2018)
3.6 million
Number of people in need
(HNO 2018)
396,509
Population seeking asylum in neighboring countries
(UNHCR, 31 May 2018)
187,026
Internally displaced people in 18 provinces (IOM, June 2018)

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

The socio-political situation remains precarious and continues to fuel the movement of populations, while increasing humanitarian needs. A total of 396,509 refugees, half of whom are children (49 per cent), have found refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly in Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda (UNHCR 31 May 2018). The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) registered in 18 provinces has increased, due to displacements caused by flooding and is currently 187,026, of which 60 per cent are children (IOM, June 2018). Furthermore, since the end of January 8,093 Congolese refugees arrived in Rumonge and Nyanza-Lac Provinces following violence in Eastern DRC. Two thirds of the refugees were transferred to five transit centres and received assistance from UNHCR, UNICEF and partners.

On 28 March 2018, a new tripartite agreement was signed between the Government of Burundi, the Government of Tanzania and UNHCR to continue supporting the voluntary repatriation of 72,000 Burundians from Tanzania in 2018 Since September 2017, 30,164 people have been repatriated to Burundi (UNCHR, June 2018). An estimated 60,000 people have also spontaneously returned.

The referendum on the constitution changes took place on 17 May 2018. The voting process was well organised and no major security incidents occurred during the vote. On 21 May, the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) declared amendments to the constitution approved by a vote of 73.26 per cent.

There has been a sharp decrease in malaria cases and deaths since the beginning of the year due to increased efforts of health partners and donors contributing to the Malaria Response Plan. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), the cumulative number of malaria cases reported during the first 24 weeks of 2018 is 2,378,081 cases with 1,164 deaths, which is 44 per cent lower than the number of cases reported for the same period in 2017 (4,221,295 cases and 1,891 deaths). Despite the encouraging epidemiological trend, the fight against malaria remains a priority for the Health sector. UNICEF continues to support the MoH in closely monitoring the situation of malaria and other diseases like cholera and Ebola.