Background

Eleven years of civil conflict in Burundi (1993-2004) left a large proportion of the population struggling to rebuild their lives. According to UNHCR figures, from 2002 to 2011, 512 104 people were repatriated, increasing the strains on the limited land and basic services. Overall security levels have improved throughout the country, however, Burundi is still recovering from the conflict and this recovery is hindered by low living standards, chronic poverty, severe environmental degradation and a lack of basic services.

A large proportion of the population is acutely food insecure and between 15 – 20 % of the rural population is classified as severely vulnerable, with up to 45% being recorded in some parts of the East of the country in early 2011. The population is expected to rise from around 8.5 million in 2010 to well over 13 million by 2025; this worrying demographic situation is exacerbated by land scarcity; the influx of returnees over the last decade has led to an increase in land conflicts. The risk of disasters in Burundi exacerbates the situation. The La Niña weather phenomenon has led to weather hazards including flooding, torrential rains and hail storms, which have proved very damaging to crops, with devastating effects on food security. The country’s geographical location and lack of infrastructure has also resulted in extreme susceptibility to viruses e.g. crop disease (cassava brown streak, cassava mosaic, BXW, etc.), animal diseases (avian influenza) and human viruses (HIV/AIDS).

Further exacerbating this situation are the worryingly high food and fuel prices being experienced in Burundi; from 2005 to 2011 the family food basket index rose from 15 000 Fbu (around USD 15) to 45 000 Fbu (around USD 45) and over a 12 month period from February 2010 to February 2011, fuel prices tripled, leading to food prices rising further.

FAO’s emergency assistance in Burundi

FAO’s Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit (ERCU) focuses on providing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable households and reducing the likelihood of humanitarian catastrophes. The ERCU supports the Ministry of Agriculture in the implementation and development of programmes which guide vulnerable populations towards socio-economic recovery and sustainable agricultural development. FAO is currently implementing multiple projects in Burundi which aim to support the transition from emergency relief to development, reintegrate returnees harmoniously, reduce vulnerability and chronic food insecurity and bolster disaster preparedness and livelihood restoration.

Activities include:

• Supporting the successful reintegration of landless returnees through Rural Integrated Villages, (in partnership with UNDP and UNICEF), as well as ensuring agricultural production capability for these groups;
• the provision of basic agricultural inputs e.g. certified, quality seeds, fertilizer, agricultural tools;
• Disaster Risk Reduction/Disaster Risk Management activities through the food security monitoring and early warning system (SAP/SSA) and vulnerability mapping throughout the country (IPC);
• diversifying the agriculture sector by supporting agricultural micro-projects e.g. vegetable gardening, animal rearing (goat and poultry) and food processing (grinding mills);
• improving livelihoods through revenue generating activities in the rural areas where land scarcity has led to limited opportunities for generating revenue;
• introducing farmer field school approaches to train farmers on improved cultivation and livestock rearing methods;
• supporting households through the repopulation of livestock (goats and egg-laying hens);
• rehabilitating marsh lands, irrigation canals and roads for farming use;
• diminishing the negative impact of price increases and climate related hazards (e.g. hailstorms linked to La Niña) on vulnerable households; and
• reinforcing local capacity to prevent, mitigate, prepare for and respond to transboundary pests and diseases (e.g. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1).