MSF suspends operations in Makamba

International medical NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has suspended its operations in Makamba Province, southern Burundi, after government health authorities prevented its team from gaining access to essential medical supplies.

"Burundian health authorities are preventing humanitarian organisations from gaining access to medical equipment and supplies essential to carrying out emergency aid operations," MSF reported.

MSF suspended its activities on Friday in the province, where prevailing insecurity makes the NGO's presence critical for civilians.

"Supplies have run out and surgical teams lack required items including anaesthetics, suture materials and bandages," MSF reported.

It also reported that after weeks of negotiation, a 17-mt cargo of medical and surgical equipment arrived in Bujumbura, the Burundi capital, on 19 April and that although MSF conformed with import procedures, the material remained blocked at the Bujumbura airport. MSF said an earlier delivery of surgical and medical supplies was also held in Bujumbura for more than three months, subjecting the organisation to high storage costs.

"Given the insecurity in the province, MSF's presence is critically needed," It reported. "On 18 April, a security incident in the city centre resulted in the death of one person and the wounding of 25 others," MSF reported.