EU humanitarian aid to Burundi

The European Commission has adopted a €20 million intervention plan to help meet continuing humanitarian needs in Burundi. The funds will be channeled by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) through 17 partner organizations working in the country. The main emphasis will be on vulnerable groups such as displaced and resettled people, drought victims, and women and children who are heads of households.

The Commission will support major humanitarian programmes in Burundi in the fields of food security, nutrition, health and water/sanitation. Funds have also being earmarked to provide displaced and regrouped people with essential everyday items and for logistical support, including air transport to reach areas not easily accessible by road for security reasons. A further component of the plan aims at helping specific groups in need of protection, namely children separated from their families and prison inmates.

Burundi has suffered periodic bouts of internal conflict ever since it became independent in 1962. It has also been seriously affected by instability in the wider region.

Over the last decade, this densely-populated country has experienced three major crises, the most recent occurring in 1999 when 350,000 people were "regrouped" in 37 camps as part of a government attempt to cut off support for opposition fighting forces. The economic and social situation in Burundi has deteriorated markedly since 1992 and, although recent developments offer some hope for restoring peace, the country remains heavily reliant on humanitarian aid. The signature of the Arusha Peace Agreement by 19 parties in August 2000 is seen as an important step towards dialogue and reconciliation.

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