21st May, 2015
Humanitarian organisations are responding to a growing humanitarian crisis in the small central African nation of Burundi which has seen more than 105,000 people flee the country.
Weeks of unrest and protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek re-election in June culminated in an attempted coup last week while he was out of the country. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, says tens of thousands have now fled to the neighbouring countries with more than 26,000 in Rwanda, more than 70,000 in Tanzania and almost 10,000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Karin de Gruijl, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told a news conference last week that following the attempted coup attempt, the situation in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura has remained "tense".
The World Health Organization this week expressed concerns over the health of refugees now living in at least one camp in Tanzania where there had been an outbreak of cholera.
James Robinson, the country manager for UK-based Christian Aid, described the situation in the country as "very volatile". "Many people have been staying indoors, not moving because of the threat of gunfire, wondering what will happen next," he said. "People are scared to leave their homes."
Mr Robinson said that since the demonstrations began "life for many Burundians has been paralysed, with local trade, transport and public services all affected".
"As the protests continue, stocks of goods such as petrol, food, medicine and water are becoming scarce. Any further disruption threatens to leave communities both insecure and without essential items. With the high levels of poverty in the country, it”s the poorest who are the least able to cope."
– DAVID ADAMS
