UNHCR says more than 105,000 refugees have fled violence in Burundi
The UN refugee agency has hired a ferry to help more than 50,000 refugees who are facing dire conditions in a border village on Lake Tanganyika
GENEVA, 15 May (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency said on Friday that more than 105,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries to escape political violence in Burundi, with many now trapped in dire conditions in a border village on the shore of Lake Tanganyika.
"While the coup attempt is reported to have been foiled, the situation in Burundi's capital Bujumbura remains tense with sporadic outbursts of violence reported this morning," Karin de Gruijl, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told a news conference.
"Over 105,000 people have now fled the country, with 70,187 in neighbouring Tanzania, 26,300 in Rwanda and 9,183 to the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
UNHCR said the number of arrivals in Tanzania had risen sharply in recent days, with authorities reporting that over 50,000 Burundians are living rough in Kagunga, a border village on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. De Gruijl said there are reports that at least another 10,000 people are waiting to cross into Tanzania.
Kagunga is a small village on the border between Burundi and Tanzania that is best reached by boat because of a steep mountain range on the Tanzanian side.
UNHCR chartered the ageing ferry MV Liemba on 3 May to transfer refugees from Kagunga to Kigoma. However the ferry can carry only 600 people and a transfer takes up to 10 hours, with fishing boats needed to move refugees between the small dock and the ferry.
"We have now identified a second ship that can carry up to 300 people, but that will not be able to operate at night," de Gruijl said. "We are also currently verifying a mountain track that some of refugees could take to leave Kagunga."
After a four-hour walk though the mountains, refugees would spend a night at a temporary UNHCR camp before moving by bus to Nyanrugusu refugee camp, she said.
"With the rapidly increasing number of people arriving in Kagunga, the living conditions have become extremely dire. People managed to bring some food and can fish in the lake, but the lack of clean drinking water, latrines and shelter is acute," the spokesperson said.
"The local health services in the village are overwhelmed. We are now setting up a reception centre to address the most urgent needs. We are also fast-tracking the transfer of pregnant women, children, elderly and sick refugees to Kigoma."
In Kigoma, authorities have made a stadium available to accommodate the refugees before they go to Nyarugusu refugee camp. With the help of local partners, UNHCR has turned the stadium into a large transit centre where refugees will stay a few days while being registered and receiving medical care before being transferred to the refugee camp.
Seventeen trucks with thousands of tents, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen sets, jerry cans, solar lamps and other basic relief items from UNHCR regional warehouses are expected to arrive in Kigoma on Sunday, as UNHCR and its partners gear up for a large-scale refugee emergency. More than 18,000 refugees have been moved to the refugee camp so far.
Refugees from Burundi also continue to arrive in Rwanda, although the rate has decreased in the last two weeks, de Gruijl said. "Refugees report that authorities in Burundi have made it very difficult for people to leave the country. According to those who have managed to reach Rwanda in the last few days, there are roadblocks and checkpoints where police or militia prevent people from continuing their journey towards Rwanda."
Rwanda is currently hosting more than 26,300 Burundian refugees, most living in Mahama refugee camp. In addition, UNHCR plans next week to start registering the undetermined number of Burundians who have settled in urban areas.
Related news and stories
Across borders, South Sudan's displaced call for peace
UNHCR concerned by conflict's toll on hundreds of thousands displaced in eastern DR Congo
As security worsens in DR Congo, UNHCR and partners seek US$605 million to assist Congolese refugees across Africa
UNHCR's Grandi lauds progress in Burundian refugee returns, urges more support
A refugee baker from Congo builds his business in Burundi
'Now, this is bread'.
Your search for « burundi » matched 3542 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 14 of 112 pages.
-
UNHCR Global Appeal 2010-2011 - Burundi
1 Dec 2009 ... Burundi Working environment £ The context Burundi is enjoying improved security and stability on the political front. The demobilization of combatants of the (FNL) has been completed, and the ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2011 (update) - Burundi
1 Dec 2010 ... BURUNDI £ The results of presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 2010 should help to consolidate peace, and build an environment conducive to development in Burundi. However, the ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update - Burundi
1 Dec 2012 ... BURUNDI Working environment £ The context Two years after a presidential election, the socio-political environment in Burundi remains precarious. Human rights organizations and the media have ...... -
In photos: Kristin Davis visits refugees in Rwanda
... In December 2016 UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Kristin Davis travelled to Rwanda to visit refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Images from the trip, along with some of the ...... -
Zambia
... The majority of people of concern (POCs) are refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, as well as Angolan and former Rwandan refugees. They reside in the three designated refugee ...... -
Africa
... Around 30 million internally displaced persons, refugees and asylum-seekers live in Africa, representing almost one-third of the world's refugee population. Across Africa, UNHCR works to ensure that ...... -
Thousands of Burundi refugees arrive in Tanzania
8 Oct 1999 ... Four thousand new Burundi refugees have been registered by UNHCR in Kasulu, in western Tanzania, during the past two weeks. The new arrivals from Burundi's Makamba province say they are fleeing heavy ...... -
Return and Reintegration of Burundian Refugees, Supplementary Appeal, July 2004 - December 2005
1 Jul 2004 ... fighting continued between the Government of Burundi and rebel forces, resulting in heavy civilian ... Returnees will return to areas inhabited by equally deprived Burundi- ans who chose not to move ...... -
In Burundi, repatriated schoolchildren easily adjust to their new school
31 Jan 2006 ... RUYIGI, Burundi, Jan 31 (UNHCR) - Most of the children who come back to Burundi after spending years attending classes in refugee camps in Tanzania know no other school. But policies enacted by their ......