Increased numbers fleeing conflict

Over 1,000 Burundians have fled to Tanzania in the last two weeks sparking fears that the intensifying conflict could drive out larger numbers, according to a statement by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). The refugees said they were fleeing general insecurity, UNHCR spokeswoman Ivana Unluova told IRIN on Wednesday. This included reprisals by the Burundi military on villagers for allegedly supporting rebel groups, and the "forced recruitment" of young Hutu men into the army, she said. Most of the refugees came from the southeastern provinces of Ruyigi and Rutana as well as the central province of Gitega. While over 30 percent of all arrivals this year had come in the last two weeks, Unluova said it was not considered "a dramatic increase" and would not put a strain on the capacity to receive them in the refugee camps. Far more refugees were being assisted by UNHCR to return home than were arriving, she added, with over 25,000 having returned since the voluntary repatriation exercise began in March. "While we are beginning to see an upward trend in the number of arrivals from Burundi, the numbers are still much lower compared to the first eight or nine months of last year," she added. In 2001 a total of 25,000 Burundians fled to Tanzania.