Situation in Gitega province improving

The situation of people in Gitega Province has improved steadily since January, according to an Oxfam survey conducted in March. The agency's "emergencies bulletin" on Wednesday said there had been a notable decrease in acute malnutrition in the under-five population, continuing low mortality rates, functioning health services and fewer new admissions to supplementary feeding programmes. Returnees in the north of the province are also becoming more established, demonstrated by land cultivation, the agency added. Oxfam, which has now begun the process of handing over its supplementary feeding programme and 15 health centres to the provincial health ministry said it will continue training health workers and investigate ways of involving local communities in improving long-term food security.