EMBARGOED TO THE MEDIA UNTIL TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2003, 1100 HRS NEW YORK TIME

Burundi

CONSOLIDATED APPEAL

SUMMARY

Alarming conditions

Burundians live in some of the worst conditions in the world. Every province in the country, except one, endured sporadic fighting, looting or armed banditry in 2003.

While political progress has recently been made by a ceasefire agreement with three of the four rebel groups, the humanitarian situation deteriorated in 2003.

During most of the year, about 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes monthly, often at a moment's notice, when fighting plunged their communities into fear.

Burundians have lost much of their capacity to care for themselves. Many communities have been dispossessed; looted by rebels, armed forces, and bandits.

Burundi ranks 171 of 175 nations in the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index for 2003.

The decade-long civil war has had an alarming impact on Burundians. Up to 300,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since 1993. Life expectancy plummeted to 41 years by 2001, from 54 in 1992.

For every 100,000 Burundians, there is just one physician that might treat them. Infant mortality rates for under-fives have nearly doubled, reaching 19 in 100 by 2001.

Some 70 per cent of the population is under-nourished. And a majority – 59 per cent, live below the poverty line.

Few individuals are aware of their civil and human rights; serious violations abound.

Too many Burundians suffer the trauma of forced displacement, ensuing violence and destitution.

Some 281,000 Burundian IDPs live in 230 'sites' dotted around the country.

Another 789,000 Burundians still live in Tanzanian refugee camps, villages and communities.

Displaced people, returnees, orphans, children, female-headed households, and members of the Batwa minority are among the most vulnerable groups in Burundi.

Four priorities

The Consolidated Appeal for Burundi in 2004 aims to provide life-sustaining humanitarian assistance to the Burundian people, support the Arusha peace process, and prepare for recovery and rebuilding.

A participative strategic planning process has resulted in the identification of four priority areas, each of which is critical, all of them interdependent:

• Food Security
• Protection
• Access to basic services
• Emergency response

These areas have been defined in order to secure greater coherence and eventually ensure a broader, measurable and sustainable impact of the overall humanitarian response.

Continued international donor funding will be critical for the emergency humanitarian response and for long-term social and economic stability, recovery, peace and reconciliation.

Request

To address the humanitarian needs of Burundians in 2004, the United Nations and NGO partners request US$ 71,147,882.

Funding Requirements in 2004
(US$)