Burundi - UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Chaloka Beyani has completed a three-day assessment of the situation of IDPs in Burundi. His visit was jointly organized by UNHCR and UNOCHA, in coordination with IOM.

During his visit to camps in Gitaza and Cashi (Rumonge) established for 1,900 people affected by floods in October 2015, he found an urgent need for more assistance, including access to basic services such as health care and education.

He noted that more resources are also needed to ensure the protection of IDPs, especially women, children and the elderly. Psychosocial assistance is also urgently needed, as the communities have repeatedly suffered from traumatic events, including two in 2015 alone.

The IDPs also need safe and voluntary relocation in line with international standards. Suitable land and significant resources need to be identified for such a process to be initiated.

During the Special Rapporteur’s discussions with Government officials, humanitarian actors and civil society, he highlighted the importance of establishing a legal framework for the assistance and protection of IDPs in Burundi. He advocated for the adoption by the government of the Kampala Convention and for a national IDP law.

“The current IDP situation should be seen and addressed as a humanitarian issue, delinked from politics. IDPs are victims and the solution must be a humanitarian one,” said Dr. Beyani.

According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), in March 2016 there were over 25,000 IDPs in the three provinces of Rutana, Makamba and Kirundo. Some 15 percent of them were displaced due to natural disasters.

In addition, some 78,000 persons remain internally displaced from the 1993 crisis. These IDPs are living in sites scattered throughout the country and still have humanitarian needs that remain unaddressed.

For further information please contact Kristina Mejo, IOM Burundi., Tel. +257 71256332; Email:  kmejo@iom.int