Burundian refugees may reach 500 000

JOHANNESBURG: Land, and other support, is desperately needed for the thousands of Burundian refugees fleeing the country to neighbouring countries as peace talks remain frozen.

Hundreds of Burundians are fleeing the country daily and the UN has appealed for land to shelter new arrivals to ensure the protection of children, in particular, and prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since April 2015, more than 384 000 Burundian refugees have fled to Tanzania (222 271), Rwanda (84 866), Uganda (about 44 000) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (32 650) and its projections indicate that numbers will cross half-a-million by the end of the year.

“Without allocation of new land to extend capacity in existing camps or build new ones, these countries will struggle to provide sufficient shelter and life-saving services in the camp sites,” William Spindler, a UNHCR spokesperson told the media at the regular bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

“Camp facilities also need to be upgraded, including construction of more homes, schools, health centres and better drainage systems to lessen the risk of disease,” he said, noting that host countries have been generous with their support but more action is needed to avert a dangerous slide in standards and conditions.

UNHCR also appealed to donor nations to step up their assistance and funding. Last year, the UN agency received a $96.1 million in contributions for the Burundi situation, however, it was 53% of the amount needed.

The pressure is most intense in Tanzania, where average arrivals in January reachedup to 600 daily.

Of the three camps hosting refugees, only Nduta – that recently passed its current capacity of 100 000 persons – is taking new arrivals.

According to Spindler, humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide minimal basic services and fear outbreaks of health emergencies if the crowding gets worse and facilities fail to keep pace.

Similarly, land shortages are also hitting the Lusenda camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where risk of fire is rising as shelters are getting closer due to paucity of land.

In Rwanda’s Mahama camp (hosting more than 53 000 against its capacity of 50 000), many are living under plastic sheeting in overcrowded communal hangars, waiting to move to a family shelter.

In addition to poor hygiene, living conditions present serious protection risks due to lack of privacy.

Uganda, which hosts 44 000 Burundian refugees, according to the UN agency runs a “progressive settlement approach” to refugee management and protection. It provides refugees with plots of land to build new homes and grow crops.

However, Spindler added that significant investments are needed in local infrastructure to ensure that refugees are able to access key basic services. – ANA