Government publishes rehabilitation plan

The Burundi government has published an action plan for the next three years aimed at rehabilitating 1.2 million Burundians classified as “disaster-stricken” due to the ongoing civil war, the Panafrican News Agency (PANA) reported. It said the plan, drawn up by the rehabilitation and resettlement ministry, provides for 630,936 displaced people within the country and 448,371 refugees in neighbouring Tanzania who are expected to return home. In its projection from 2001 to 2003, the plan estimates that 100,000 houses will be needed in the first year, 60,000 in the second year and 40,000 in the third.

The plan also provides for the establishment of a multi-sectoral commission in charge of preparing the repatriation of refugees. The commission will set out to sensitise refugees to encourage them to return home. PANA noted that the plan recognises the government’s financial limitations and calls for contributions from traditional partners and donors. Officials from the ministry were quoted as saying implementation of the plan would depend on improved security and greater stability in the country.