EU steps up humanitarian aid for Burundi crisis: €22 million in 2016

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Commissie (EC), gepubliceerd op dinsdag 31 mei 2016.

The European Commission has announced additional €10 million in humanitarian aid to help the increasing number of displaced Burundians. This comes on top of the €12.2 million already provided since the beginning of the year, bringing total EU humanitarian aid for the Burundi crisis in 2016 to over €22 million so far.

More than 260 000 people, over half of whom are children, are estimated to have left Burundi since April 2015, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

"The EU is committed to support the Burundian people at these difficult times. The humanitarian situation affecting Burundians remains a cause of great concern. More than a quarter of a million people have now fled their homes. The neighbouring countries' hosting capabilities have been stretched to the limit, with the situation in Tanzania especially worrying. The additional EU funding will help get essential aid to those in need and improve refugees' living conditions, notably in Tanzania," said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

Tanzania has received the highest number of Burundians so far (nearly 140 000) mostly to Nyarugusu refugee camp, which has subsequently become one of the largest and most overcrowded refugee camps in the world. Even though additional camps have been set up (Mtendeli and Nduta) to accommodate the continued influx, living conditions in the camps need to improve. Risks of infections and epidemics are high. Sheltering conditions also involve considerable risks for the most vulnerable.

The European Commission has been supporting the Burundian people since the beginning of the crisis. In total, EU humanitarian assistance released to respond to the Burundi crisis amounts to €36.2 million since May 2015.

Background:

Burundi is among the world's poorest countries.

Following the announcement on 25 April 2015 that President Pierre Nkurunziza would seek a third mandate, provoking serious political division, Burundi has undergone a sustained political and security crisis - this crisis brought with it a surge in the number of refugees.

Up to date, over 260,000 people have fled Burundi to mostly Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The most urgent humanitarian needs to address in priority remain shelter and protection of the most vulnerable.

For more information:

Burundi refugee crisis:

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/burundi_en.pdf

IP/16/1758: EU to provide €55 million for the people of Burundi

IP/16/1926

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