Security situation remains “unpredictable”

The security situation in Burundi remained “unpredictable” during the first half of August, WFP said in this week’s emergency update. Attacks and lootings were reported in Kamenge and Gihosha areas in Bujumbura town, it said. Incursions continued to be reported in Ruyigi and Makamba provinces, as well as skirmishes between the army and rebels in Bujumbura Rural province. The agency’s Household Food Economy Assessment teams conducted a number of visits in the northern and eastern provinces to assess the effects of the drought on the food security situation and evaluate the impact of WFP food assistance during the first half of August. High risk of food insecurity as reported in part of Kirundo, Muyinga, Karuzi and Bujumbura Rural provinces. “In particular, 9,244 households in Kanyosha commune could become food insecure by December,” the agency said. WFP in collaboration with CARE, GVC and Caritas assisted 169,959 vulnerable people, with 1,433 tons of food during the first half of August. Beneficiaries were mainly drought- affected populations in Muyinga and Kirundo provinces. Also in collaboration with GTZ, the agency distributed 34 tons of food to 1,441 refugees from DRC in Cibitoke province. Another 1,139 people repatriated from Tanzania in Ngozi received 14 tons of WFP food. The agency also assisted 9,051 most vulnerable persons, including orphans, street children and chronically ill persons, with 133 tons of food through various social centres.