International community urged not to abandon Burundi

The director of the NGO, CAFOD, has urged the international community not to turn its back on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Burundi. In a statement, Julian Filochowski said a “human tragedy” was in the making “far away from the gaze of the media and the international community”. “Over 320,000 people have been wrenched from their homes and are living in very basic and miserable conditions,” he said. He noted the rising insecurity in the country and fears that the international community was pulling back. “The international community must not wash its hands of these countries just because there are no easy solutions,” he said. “It must play its role as a facilitator of dialogue and reconciliation.” CAFOD pledged an emergency grant of US $50,000 to support Caritas’ work with the displaced.