Burundi Crisis - Emergency Assistance for Refugees - UNHCR 2015

October 2015 - Significant political instability and violence in Burundi arising from opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s re-election has led to increased insecurity in the country and mounting refugee flows into neighbouring countries. Since April nearly 200 000 people have fled as refugees from Burundi with the majority fleeing to Tanzania Rwanda Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The ability of agencies to respond has been constrained by limited funding and considerable pre-existing humanitarian crises in the region. With the support of GAC and other donors the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is responding to the urgent needs of Burundian refugees in Tanzania Rwanda DRC and Uganda. Project activities include: (1) providing registration identification documentation and protection services for refugees; (2) addressing the basic needs of refugees through the provision of health care water and sanitation and education services; (3) providing livelihood supplies equipment and training to refugees to enhance livelihood opportunities and self-reliance; and (4) providing emergency shelter basic household items and rehabilitating infrastructure for refugee populations.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to services and assistance aimed at protecting the basic rights of refugees; (2) increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities for refugees; (3) increased access to basic health care for refugees; (4) increased access to basic education for refugees; (5) increased access to interventions designed to promote greater self-sufficiency and reduce negative coping strategies; and (6) increased access to emergency shelter and basic infrastructure for refugees. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.