HUMANITARIAN CRISES

UNHCR: Burundi crisis propels refugee

exodus
Political strife in Burundi has forced hundreds to flee everyday to neighboring nations
just days before the polls.
26 Jun 2015 19:38 GMT | Humanitarian crises, Africa, Tanzania, Burundi, UNHCR

At least 127,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring countries [ Zoe Flood/Al Jazeera]
Hundreds of ordinary Burundians continue to flee political instability and electionrelated violence just days before the country heads to the polls next week, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.
Massoumeh Farman-Farmaian, spokesperson for the UNHCR in Kasulu,
Tanzania, told Al Jazeera on Friday that the UN agency had a plan for up to tens of
thousands more fleeing neighbouring Burundi.
"With everything happening in Burundi, we are anticipating that upto 150,000 more
people could still flee Burundi and we are prepared for that," Farman-Farmaian said.
At least 127,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring Tanzania (62,000), Rwanda
(45,000), Uganda (8,855), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10,590),and

Zambia (400), with the insecurity spurring on thousands more to flee.

The UNHCR said between 200-300 refugees continue to arrive in Tanzania, and are
being transferred to the Nyarugusu refugee camp, which has long being
overcrowded.
"The camp is overcrowded, services are stretched and we are trying are best to
accomodate all," Farman-Farmaian said.
It is understood that the UNHCR and partners were closing in on agreement with the
Tanzanian government on a new camp site for new arrivals.

he camp is now home to 120,000 refugees, "making for congested living conditions and

stretching services and facilities". [Azad Essa/Al Jazeera]

As political insecurity continues in Burundi, a leading opposition candidate on Friday
called for the postponement of elections until conditions to make the polls free and
fair are met.
Agathon Rwasa, a leading opposition presidential contender, said elections should
not be held in current conditions characterized by insecurity, lack of freedom of
expression and movement.
Burundi is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on Monday and presidential
elections on July 15. Rwasa says President Pierre Nkurunziza should withdraw his
candidacy which is in violation of the constitution's two-term limit for presidents.
Rwasa says there is intimidation and assassination of opposition figures and more
than 127,000 people have fled the country for fear of violence.
Burundi has experienced weeks of unrest since the ruling party's April 26th
announcement that Nkurunziza will run for a third term in office.
The Nyarugusu camp in Tanzania was already home to some 60,000 Congolese
refugees before the arrival of the Burundians this year. The camp is now home to
120,000 refugees, "making for congested living conditions and stretching services
and facilities".
The number of arrivals had increased sharply over the last few days in Rwanda, with
more than 600 refugees crossing the border each day. Around 200 Burundians were
also arriving in Uganda each day.
In May, the UNHCR along with 17 partners launched the Regional Refugee
Response Plan. The plan required around $ 207 million to protect upto 200,000
refugees. The plan has only managed to secure 13 percent of its target so far.
Source: Al Jazeera And Agencies