IOM Director General William Lacy Swing on Thursday (15/10) expressed his deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Evariste Mbonihankuye, an IOM staff member in Burundi.  Mr. Mbonihankuye was killed by gunfire at close range, along with eight other civilians, on 13 October 2015 in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura.

“Like all the men and women drawn to our field, Mr. Mbonihankuye was concerned with the work he could do to relieve the suffering of people less fortunate than himself, despite considerable risks to his own safety,” Ambassador Swing said.

“Nothing justifies this level of violence against civilians, much less to those dedicated individuals  serving with international aid agencies."

"We urge all authorities to undertake a rigorous and prompt investigation into the circumstances of our colleague’s death, as well as the other victims of this senseless act, some of whom were members of Mr. Mbonihankuye’s family. We will do everything we can to  ensure its perpetrators are brought to justice.”

IOM Burundi Chief of Mission Kristina Mejo said:  "We are deeply saddened by this loss of human life.  He died, along with his uncle, aunt and two cousins. He was a dedicated member of the IOM Burundi team who, at the time of the shooting, was wearing his IOM/UN badge. He will be well remembered in the IOM family for his dedication and support to our humanitarian work."

For more information, please contact Kristina Mejo at IOM Burundi, Tel: +257 7125 6332, Email: kmejo@iom.int