Government dismisses 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Burundi

The statement made by the government of Burundi this Wednesday 21 February says the figures advanced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are exaggerated and have not been compiled in collaboration with the ministries directly concerned by humanitarian issues.

Burundi government appeals to OCHA to prepare a consensual report on Burundians in need of assistance

Those ministries are that of Home Affairs, that of Human Rights, that of Public Health and that of Agriculture and Livestock as well.

“Since the government has provided significant resources to invest in projects aimed at improving the well-being of rural populations in particular, we are surprised by the figures put forward in an exaggerated way by OCHA. Unfortunately, this is not the first time it does so,” says Philippe Nzobonariba, spokesman for Burundi government.

Nzobonariba says the situation in 2018 is better than that of 2017 if one takes into account the improvements made in the agricultural and health sectors as well the repatriation and reintegration of Burundian refugees. “We have tangible results,” he says.

Philippe Nzobonariba says the government expected that its partners would focus much more on development aid than humanitarian one. “Burundi government therefore rejects the content of this unilaterally produced report and urges OCHA to contact directly the concerned ministers to make a consensual and reliable report,” he says.

On 19 February, the United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) presented the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan. Burundi needs USD 141, 8 million to support 2, 4 millions of vulnerable Burundians. Garry Conille, the UN resident coordinator has said 2,4 million people are among 3, 6 million of Burundians who need assistance. The emergency aid will be granted to displaced persons, reintegrated refugees, access to the health care…,

The report was prepared by the humanitarian community in consultation with Burundian authorities.
In 2017, the UN and Burundi government were calling for USD 73 million to fund the 2017 Burundi Humanitarian Response Plan to support three millions of vulnerable people.