WFP finds major food insecurity in Kayanza province

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has found significant food insecurity in Rugazi zone of Kabarore commune, Kayanza province of northwestern Burundi, following a rapid assessment conducted on Monday. WFP reported that residents of Rugazi did not have food reserves, and that the only source of income at present was tea. It said the food insecure population would need to receive food assistance until the next harvest in November/December 2003. The agency said it was very concerned about the situation, and was planning to assist 15,255 vulnerable people with a 20-day food ration, due to begin on Friday. WFP noted that people in Rugazi were not entirely dependent on food aid, as they had developed coping mechanisms - albeit limited - of their own. It attributed food insecurity in Rugazi to several factors, including its location at the edge of Kibira forest, from where rebel groups in hiding regularly loot nearby households, including food reserves. This persistent insecurity has had a devastating effect on the local economy, resulting in scarce job opportunities, WFP said. Furthermore, soil acidification due to lack of fertilisation has resulted in decreased crop production, while severely reduced purchasing power has made the purchase of fertilisers impossible, and the theft of livestock has resulted in a loss of manure for enriching the soil. Meanwhile, WFP reported that it was also planning a food distribution for 12,646 displaced people in Mutambu commune of Bujumbura Rural province on 11 and 12 August. The people fled their homes in when fighting erupted on 7 July between the army and the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) faction led by Agathon Rwasa.