Burundi: 400 per day arriving in Tanzania

More Burundi refugees are fleeing violence and forced displacement in the southern provinces of Burundi and are now arriving in western Tanzania at the rate of more than 400 people a day.

Between 1 and 8 November, UNHCR staff registered 2,650 new arrivals in the districts of Kigoma, Kasulu and Kibondo and 1,500 in Ngara.

During the month of October, more than 7,000 Burundi refugees crossed to the same areas.

Refugees are coming from the provinces of Makamba, Rutana, Gitega and Kirundo and report they are fleeing continuing fighting between rebels and government forces. They have also told UNHCR staff that the government has stepped up efforts to "regroup" civilians in makeshift sites without adequate shelter or supplies.

Tanzania hosts around 275,000 Burundi refugees.