Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Fides Service) - UNHCR the United Nations High Commission for Refugees is running out of funds destined for the greatest operation of voluntary repatriation in the world and the largest in Africa. Unless it receives immediate financial support the Agency will have to reduce or even suspend its operation to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees from Tanzania.
UNHCR is also unable to support activities for the reintegration of refugees who have already returned to Burundi. Of the 62 million dollars necessary for repatriation operations to Burundi in this year, UNHCR collected only 29 dollars, less than half the sum requested. The agency has already spent all the money collected through its appeal and is now using its emergency funds to continue its activities. However it can only rely on this source for a few weeks. The funding crisis comes at a difficult moment for the operation and for the whole region. After many ups and downs political transition in Burundi, started in 2001, reached a peaceful resolution with the election - in August - of President Pierre Nkurunziza. His installation led to a consistent increase in the number of refugees asking to repatriate.
Every month since August between 12,000 and 15,000 refugees have been repatriated mainly from neighbouring Tanzania. Most had been living in Tanzania since the mid 1990s, and some had arrived as early as the 1970s. Burundi’s new government faces major tasks to rebuild homes and infrastructures, open hospitals and schools, guarantee stable and lasting peace and the reintegration of hundreds of thousands of repatriated refugees and internally displaced persons.
For this year UNHCR planned to build almost 23,000 homes, 48 schools - with a total 245 classrooms - and 14 medical centres. Due to lack of funds the agency has had to reduce these goals to 42 schools and 11 medical centres, but if the financial crisis continues it will have to suspend all building projects. Its programmes for professional formation and projects to create income for the benefit of about 10,000 people will also have to be suspended. Since 2001 UNHCR has helped 285,000 Burundians return to their own country, 58,000 in 2005 alone.
Tanzania still offers shelter to over 400,000 refugees from Burundi and at least 150,000 from Congo. The announcement of a possible suspension of voluntary repatriation operations due to lack of funds is bad news for a country which has borne a heavy burden and shown great towards refugees generosity all these years. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2005 righe 39 parole 491)
