Gov’t receives pledges of monetary support for post-war recovery

Donors pledged millions of dollars on Tuesday to support Burundi’s critical post-war recovery needs for 2006. At a donor conference that opened in the Burundi capital, Bujumbura, the United Kingdom announced it would immediately provide three million pounds sterling (US $5.2 million) to the United Nations World Food Programme to deliver food aid to 1.5 million people. The government of Burundi is asking for some $168.2 million to meet all its urgent needs for 2006, of which $75 million would go to aid drought-stricken people in Kirundo, Muyinga, Rutana, Cankuzo and Ruyigi provinces. In a statement, the British embassy to Burundi, which is based in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, also said on Tuesday that the United Kingdom would provide another six million pounds ($10.5 million) to Burundi for its priority programmes, which include food, education and reintegration of people who were displaced during the country’s civil war. The Netherlands promised 27 million euros ($32 million), while Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said his government would contribute $250,000 to the effort. More pledges are expected before the conference ends. Burundi urgently needs to rebuild schools, improve access to basic healthcare, repatriate refugees, resettle vulnerable people, ensure good governance, and restore the rule of law. It also needs budgetary support. Opening the conference, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza said the government had sought aid immediately because of the precarious living conditions of many of its citizens. Carolyn McAskie, the UN Secretary-General’s representative to Burundi, called on the country’s partners to respond rapidly and massively to the call for emergency aid.