During the year 2019, UNHCR in collaboration with IRC, its child protection partner, continued reception, identification and protection activities to manage children at risk at the Cishemere transit centre, in Bujumbura and in refugee camps. As of 31 December 2019, according to UNHCR records, there were 4,515 children with specific needs. Among them 266 were unaccompanied children and 2,472 were separated children. Best interests related activities continued to be implemented for these children with a total of 2,218 best interests assessments (BIA) finalized in Bujumbura (587 BIAs for 317 girls and 270 boys), and in camps (in Ruyigi, 1,005 BIAs for 461 girls and 544 boys; and in Muyinga, 626 BIAs for 276 girls and 350 boys). In addition, 174 best interests determination reports (BID) were completed and validated by BID panels in Bujumbura and in refugee camps. 75 % of them recommended resettlement as the most appropriate durable solution.

Cross-border family tracing and reunification activities were conducted in close collaboration with ICRC. 163 children in need of cross border family tracing were referred to ICRC, however 28 of them were deemed not relevant to the ICRC mandate. Only eight  unaccompanied children were reunified to their families in the DRC, leaving a backlog of cases that were pending tracing results by the close of 2019.

According to IRC reports, 973 children at risk (485 girls and 488 boys) received material assistance while 1,239 (551 girls and 688 boys) benefited from psychosocial assistance during the year.

UNHCR, in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as UNICEF, carried out strong advocacy for an update to and adoption of the national child protection policy 2020-2024. Capacity building was conducted by UNHCR and UNICEF in collaboration with the Burundian Government through its Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, targeting national and local authorities as well as local and international NGOs intervening in the provinces of Ruyigi, Muyinga, Makamba and Bujumbura. The general theme was reinforcement of child protection mechanisms, with a focus on refugee and returnee children. This resulted in an updated mapping of services and work plans for child protection.

In order to create a stimulating environment offering children play, recreational and learning activities, and psychosocial support to assist children seeking asylum to regain a sense of normalcy and continuity, UNHCR Bujumbura established and equipped, through the Burundian Red Cross, a child-friendly space in the transit centreof Cishemere.

In terms of improving of access to education, the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms (new classrooms constructed at Kavumu and 59 classrooms rehabilitated in the four older camps) allowed for the reduction of the pupil to classroom ratio from about 100 to 80 to 90 pupils per classroom; building and repair of desks allowed for the reduction of the number of children on a desk from six to three to four children per desk; and rehabilitation of five play areas created a safer environment for children to play in. Awareness campaigns for parents on the importance of education helped increase the attendance of children in schools. 29 urban children with disabilities were supported with travel costs, school uniforms and school fees. To increase community involvement in the management of schools in the refugee camps, 80 members of the Parents of Students Associations were trained on school administration and on collaboration between the heads of schools and members of these associations, including 28 women (and 24 heads of schools, including 5 women).

In the camps, 12,909 children benefited from primary education, while 4,300 youths were enrolled in lower and upper secondary education. For urban refugees, 21,799 pupils aged 3 and over, including 10,381 girls (48%) were attending the public basic schools (in Bujumbura), from grade 1 to grade 9. For tertiary education, thanks to funding from DAFI, 87 beneficiaries (including 25 girls, 29%) received scholarships and support from the DAFI/RET Programme (including transportation, communication and research costs as well as various trainings and continuous tutoring and pedagogical monitoring). UNHCR welcomed the support provided by the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) for part of the scholarships for 20 refugees among the 87 beneficiaries. To expand the reach of this successful initiative, 40 new students were selected in November to start university studies in January 2020 under the DAFI Programme, including 14 girls (35%).

In order to improve the quality of primary and secondary education, 289 teachers were trained on pedagogy and SGBV prevention. These trainings and regular pedagogical monitoring have increased the success rate in national exams (1,352 camp-based primary school students completed the national examination and 85% passed it with satisfaction compared to 75% in 2018; and 273 camp-based secondary school students completed the national examination and 64% passed it compared to 50% in 2018).  Textbooks were purchased for pupils as well as teaching materials for teachers of grades 7 and 8. Training in pedagogy was provided for 54 girls who were in their last year of secondary school and who passed the State Examination in the camps, in order to increase their chances of being recruited into teaching and to increase the rate of female teachers. 320 pupils in urban area, including 146 girls with difficulties in Kirundi language, took remedial courses in this language and the results were satisfactory. These achievements supported efforts towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all), UNHCR's Global Strategic Priorities   and participatory assessments with people of concern.

With the objective of providing enough energy to beneficiaries, in 2019 the monthly distribution of briquettes to refugees in the five camps was completed as planned. 270 solar lights were installed across the five camps. Nyankanda camp, in particular, was equipped with a solar field that provided electricity to all of its infrastructure (including classrooms, health centre, community buildings and distribution hangar etc). Local production of briquettes was initiated by installation of a solar-powered press briquette machine in Nyankanda camp, with support from the African Development Bank. However, as the production was not yet sufficient, UNHCR continued to purchase costly briquettes from a local supplier. Due to an increasing number of refugees in the camps, UNHCR was unable to provide all beneficiaries with the required quantities. Solar installations were established to ensure the lighting of camps and infrastructure, as the existing installations were insufficient. Consequently, security in camp was improved, especially for women and girls for whom the risk of SGBV was reduced.

The average percentage of households using alternative and/or renewable energy over the year was 75%, while the planned target was 91%. This gap was mainly cause by the unexpected increase of new arrivals. Fortunately, the press briquette machine installed in Nyankanda made it possible to serve these newcomers. Installing new briquette machines in all camps would make it possible to cover all the cooking energy needs of people of concern. Contrary to other core relief items, distribution of briquettes was not harmonized between camps, with refugees in the northern camps, having to cope with a colder climate, receiving more biofuel than their eastern counterparts.

Through fundraising and advocacy by UNHCR, the IKI Project made funds available to support Burundi in climate change prevention. In this regard, in addition to energy, 250 hectares of trees were planted in the areas where camps are located. Through this project, the initial target of 51 hectares was largely exceeded. Moreover, 61 hectares of existing woodland inside and around the Nyankanda camp were indexed and classified as a protected natural area in order to reduce the environmental impact of this new camp.
Additionally, 2,500 individual solar lamps with basic connectivity were distributed to refugee households with children enrolled in secondary education and beyond, resulting in a noticeable improvement in school performance and creating an income-generating activity for a number of refugees who use the basic connectivity to create phone-charging stations.

Finally, UNHCR led an in-depth shelter assessment, later reinforced by a study conducted by a team of experts mandated by the World Bank. Using the data provided in those reports, UNHCR designed 5-year strategies detailing the objectives and priorities of the organization in the areas of energy and environment. 

In line with the public health strategy 2019-2020 for UNHCR in Burundi, health interventions in 2019 remained focused on the reduction of morbidity and mortality, the reinforcement of immunization coverage as well as prevention and community mobilization against epidemics (including Ebola, cholera and ,malaria) at the urban level and in the five refugee camps. At camp level, 181,819 medical consultations were provided, including 166,354 consultations in the different health facilities in the refugee camps and 15,465 consultations in the Cishemere health centre. Regarding mental health, more than 2,250 consultations (new and old cases) were recorded during the year 2019.

In urban areas, health services were provided by two health facilities that had agreements with UNHCR’s medical partner Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC). UNHCR supported the most vulnerable with 50% of their costs (100% of costs can be covered on a case-by-case basis) while other urban refugees with less dire health issues pay themselves. 3,502 people with special needs were assisted to ensure continuity of care in two health centres (Saint Michel centre and MOSUCOB).  Negotiations continued with health insurance companies and other health facilities to facilitate access to health care for all urban refugees.

In 2019, as in previous years, the malaria epidemic continued to be a serious public health issue in refugee camps and throughout the country. This has led to an increase in morbidity and a slight increase in mortality among people of concern. Distribution of mosquito nets was carried out in the camps and transit centres.

Under the expanded programme of immunization (EPI), most children and pregnant women completed their vaccinations at their respective health facilities. Measles vaccination coverage was 92%. Regarding children absent during the vaccination campaigns, most of them were able to receive their routine vaccinations through a dedicated outreach campaign.

The epidemiological situation in the country was marked by a cholera outbreak and the Ebola preparedness response plan, as the epidemic was already raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Preventive measures (including isolation centres, personal protective equipment, thermoflash, training of medical staff and hand-washing points) were put in place in all refugee sites in the country.

In 2019, the strategy to reduce the causes of under-5 mortality was strengthened in the refugee camps through training of medical staff on integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) protocols and their implementation, as in 2018. This reinforcement of staff capacity enabled the management of 54,772 cases of morbidity concerning children under 5 years of age.

The supply of 3 months' stock of drugs to  health centres was ensured according to the needs expressed by each health centre. This availability of drugs in 2019 made it possible to avoid drug shortages, and to improve the quality of health care for the population in the camps and the transit cenre.

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The quality of registration and profiling was markedly improved in November 2019 with the launch of a three month exercise to verify and update the biodata of refugees in Burundi. Staff from UNHCR, ONPRA and IRC went on to interview approximately 80,000 urban and camp-based refugees and asylum seekers in the five refugee camps, the Cishemere transit centre and Bujumbura in the first verification exercise since 2013. As part of this exercise, for the first time in Burundi, refugee biometric data was digitally and permanently registered in UNHCR’s database with the same technology used in some of the world’s major airports. The Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) was introduced in Burundi to capture fingerprints and iris scans of refugees and asylum-seekers for all individuals over 4 years old, enhancing the integrity of the data of refugees and asylum-seekers in Burundi. BIMS gives each person of concern a unique and permanent identity globally by capturing their biometric data along with their full name and date of birth, thus protecting them against fraud and identity theft and problems if they lose their documents.

Alongside the verification exercise, and BIMS introduction, a socio-economic survey for 10% of the refugee population was conducted through random sampling, yielding data which will be useful for joint UNHCR and World Bank resilience projects.

With the improved registration and identification through BIMS it was expected that UNHCR will be able to better plan, protect, allocate resources and assistance, and work towards durable solutions for all people of concern and respond to the needs of vulnerable refugees more efficiently. In this way in 2019, 100% of people of concern were registered on an individual basis, and 100% had their data updated from the previous year.

The continuous  updating of the database as well as a good management of physical files will also make it possible to reduce significantly cases of fraud, and allow for the processing of resettlement cases within the framework of the multi-year resettlement programme, in particular with regard to the diligent processing of vulnerable refugees identified for resettlement. In addition, the constant updating of the database will allow for accurate identification of vulnerable groups who may benefit from specific resilience programmes and other suitable interventions. Likewise, refugees in a protracted situation will be identified for appropriate responses to their needs.

Monitoring the protection of returnees in Burundi was prioritized and remained one of UNHCR's strongest commitments under the tripartite agreement to facilitate analysis of and support for reintegration in areas of return.

Results obtained from protection monitoring conducted in 2019 revealed that lack of access to diversified income-generating activities, particularly for women and young people, posed a major problem in areas of return. 43% of the population aged 17 to 60 were unemployed after their return. Of the population consulted between May and October 2019, 64% indicated that the economic situation had not improved since the time they had left their country and sought asylum. The provinces most affected, according to the vulnerability assessment, were Kirundo, Ruyigi, Muyinga and Gitega, while provinces with an average level of vulnerability were Kanyanza, Karuzi and Ngozi.

Furthermore, 67% of assisted returnees had no shelter upon return, and this situation remained a major challenge preventing effective reintegration. In many cases, homes had been destroyed and damaged while individuals were seeking asylum outside of Burundi, with 71% of temporary shelters used by the returnees noted to be in very poor condition, while 28% were in medium condition. Only 2 % were assessed to be in good condition. Even though 82% of households had access to land, they did not have enough resources to develop the land. 75% of households were engaged in agriculture as their main source of income.

As part of activities under a Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) project funded by UNHCR, 80 youths were trained in social analysis, entrepreneurship and project development as well as in communication techniques; 203 people with specific needs received psychosocial support; 80 children identified with special needs also received the material assistance to reduce their vulnerability and 100 girls in need received dignity kits to promote their integration into the school system. Moreover, with funding by UNICEF, Hope 87 distributed school packages to 13,760 people (6,601 boys and 7,159 girls) in five provinces (Cankuzo, Kirondo, Makamba, Rumonge and Rutana) and enabled 14,600 people (6,888 boys and 7,712 girls) to attend remedial classes. Other humanitarian and development actors, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Burundian Red Cross (CRB), the Lutheran World Federation and Family Health International, funded various projects in the provinces of Ruyigi and Cankuzo. In the southern region of the country, reintegration projects targeting returnees and vulnerable people from the host community were supported by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights and Social Affairs and Gender in pilot projects in five hills in the Giharo commune while another project (PNACDR-IM) targeted 15 hills also in Giharo.

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The ongoing security situation in the DRC and continued arrival of new refugees notably from eastern DRC impacted negatively on the potential for voluntary return. Prospects for local integration also remained challenging. Freedom of movement for refugees remained restricted and refugees remained vulnerable to discrimination, arbitrary arrest, detention and extortion. Due to reduced humanitarian assistance, camp- and urban-based refugee women and girls were particularly exposed to SGVB and survival sex. Moreover, opportunities for responding to life-threatening and serious medical conditions remained very limited.

Resettlement, as part of the comprehensive regional solutions strategy for Congolese refugees in the Great Lakes, remained the most viable durable solution in 2019 and was prioritized in response to protection needs of the most vulnerable, including refugees with serious medical, physical or legal protection needs (including LGBTI profiles) as well as women and girls facing heightened protection risks. A total of 2,928 refugees were resettled including to the United States of America (2,570); Australia (300); the United Kingdom (33); Canada (25); Finland (9) and Sweden (1). These departures represented 118% of departures for 2018 (2,434 people) and 146% of projected departures for 2019 (2,000). In addition, with 28,418 individuals identified as being in need of resettlement, the projected global resettlement needs initially targeted only 3,500 people, with a revised target of 4,000 people by March 2019. By the end of 2019, a total of 3,742 refugees (876 cases) had been submitted for resettlement, representing 94% of the revised target and surpassing submission targets of 2018 by 154%. Of these submissions 2,927 people  (78%) were submitted to the United States of America, while Australia received 807 submissions (21%). The remaining 1% were submitted to Finland (9 people), Sweden (1), the United Kingdom (1) and Canada (1).

No processing under complementary pathways was facilitated by the Office in 2018, however in 2019, as part of the “Three-year strategy (2019-2021) on resettlement and complementary pathways” aimed at expanding access to third-country solutions, Canada selected refugees under the allocated quotas for submissions to benefit from the blended visa office-referred program (BVOR) with joint sponsorship by the Canadian Government and private/community groups. In addition, UNHCR in collaboration with IOM supported the processing of family reunifications under private sponsorship channels, mainly to Canada.

To improve oversight and reinforce the prevention of fraud and overall integrity of the resettlement process, a nationwide verification exercise and the deployment of the Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) began in 2019. This was reinforced by the development of anti-fraud messages and campaigns, the institution of mandatory processes for updating file records and the review of audit reports for each submitted case. The Office also undertook a review of existing resettlement standard operating procedures (SOPs) in line with the 2017 anti-fraud policy and finalized operational anti-fraud SOPs relevant to the management of fraud perpetrated by people of concern.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGVB) remained a recurring problem for refugees in Burundi. 456 new cases (436 females and 20 males) were documented and assisted in the refugee camps and in Bujumbura. The majority were cases of rape (152 cases) and domestic violence (69 cases). Special attention and necessary assistance were provided according to the needs identified: 67 survivors received medical assistance before receiving psychosocial counselling and 175 were referred to the medical partner GVC.

In the course of the year 2,847 refugees (2,781 females and 66 males) received psychosocial support, 838 cases (835 females and 3 males) were referred by UNHCR to various actors for follow up interventions (including ONPRA, GVC and JRS). 20 groups discussions were held to encourage mutual support among survivors and address isolation. 4,671 women and girls benefitted from provision of secure spaces (Espoir centres, CUCOR) and 687 survivors (682 females and 5 males) received dignity kits. The involvement partners in the search for appropriate outcomes for survivors was the preferred approach. To this end, 126 case management meetings were held, including emergency meetings.

SGVB including sexual exploitation and abuse and related risks, which remained widespread in schools and communities, was addressed through awareness raising, community mobilization and active involvement of refugees (especially men) in SGBV responses. In this regard, particular attention was given to training on changing men's behavior in the fight against violence against women and girls. Teachers and groups of young adolescents within schools were trained to sensitize their peers to SGBV. A total of 1,341 large-scale awareness and management sessions were conducted in the five camps and in urban areas.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for prevention and response to SGBV were in place and established referral mechanisms were functional. All SGBV partners complied with the SOPs, as well as with the protocol for sharing information on SGBV. SGBV survivors had access to essential services (psychosocial, medical, legal and security assistance) all aimed at mitigating the consequences of SGBV and strengthening community reintegration. 28 selected facilitators assisted IRC community mobilizers and supported and referred survivors to case management services.

In 2019, newly arrived refugees were accommodated in Nyankanda camp, which was officially opened in April 2019 but received the first refugee convoy on 20 December 2018. Upon arrival, refugees received shelter kits and plots of land where they built their houses. 28 blocks were built, for a total of 1,344 houses, including nine using refugee housing unit (RHU). 431 RHUs out of 480 were used for shelters in Nyankanda and the rest to build isolation wards for suspected Ebola cases in all five camps and in the Cishemere transit centre. Those shelters helped households to live in adequate dwellings.

In addition, rehabilitation was done in other camps such as Kavumu, Bwagiriza, Kinama and Musasa including some community infrastructure such as schools (e.g., 40 classrooms in Kinama camp) and community kitchens. Regarding the rehabilitation of shelters, refugees were supported with awareness raising and construction kits and materials for rehabilitation were distributed. In order to improve the accessibility of the camps, especially Kavumu and Bwagiriza, some critical parts of the roads leading to camps (Ruyigi-Bwagiriza-Nyankanda and Kavumu) were repaired. Road maintenance facilitated the transport of goods for assistance each month, as well as the transport of newly arrived refugees and staff (partners and UNHCR) who performed their daily activities in the camps.

In total in 2019, a 6,595 refugees received construction kits and shelter materials, 1,530 people of concern received RHUs and 44 buildings and structures were rehabilitated and maintained across  all camps and transit centres Finally, from February to May, an in-depth assessment was conducted, supporting the design of a 5-year strategy setting clear goals and timelines for future constructions within the camps and their surrounding areas.

The repatriation operation was launched in 2017 with the aim of facilitating the return of all Burundian refugees in the sub-region who expressed interest in voluntary repatriation. The planning figure for 2019 was 116,000.

During 2019, UNHCR and its partners facilitated the return with dignity and in security of 21,174 Burundian refugees (11,613 women and 9,561 men) from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Senegal, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia representing all those who had demonstrated and confirmed their intention to return to their country of origin. Even if the 2019 results represented only 18% of the planning figures, the operation’s objective was achieved, since all those registered for return benefited from UNHCR facilitation.

All returnees (100%) received adequate support in different transit centres (Kajaga, Gitara, Kinazi, Nyabitare and Songore); the Kinazi transit centre (Muyinga) was established at the beginning of the year and was operational from April.

UNHCR together with its partners provided return assistance to every Burundian refugee who voluntarily returned. The assistance included accommodation in the transit centres; and each returnee underwent verification and biometric registration and received return documentation. In addition, hot meals and potable water were provided to all returnees. Before leaving for their areas of origin, UNHCR and its partners ensured that every returnee underwent health screening and was provided with food, non-food items and cash to meet their basic needs for a period of three months. Specific assistance was provided to people with special needs. All assisted returnees were provided with safe secondary transportation to their municipality of origin.

People with specific needs received relevant services based on a multi-sector approach during the process of welcoming at the transit centres. In area-based management of cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), 729 women and five men were assisted. In terms of child protection, 417 children (193 boys and 224 girls) benefited from individualized interventions (47% boys and 53% girls). As part of medical assistance, 9,167 people benefited from medical screening and 4,167 consultations were held in 2019; 3,842 children under the age of 5 underwent nutritional screening; 126 pregnant women received medical and nutritional screening; and 1,032 breastfeeding women received nutritional screening.

During the year, UNHCR aimed to provide direct cash assistance, so the operation established a partnership with a financial service provider (Lumitel); and structured a system to replace cash-in-hand distributions with mobile money, a more secure modality to promote both privacy and economic inclusion.

The fleet dedicated to transporting goods and people was strengthened with eight additional trucks and four vehicles. The operation received 61 ground convoys and several flights transporting returnees.

As of 31 December 2019, UNHCR had facilitated the voluntary return of a total of 79,720 Burundian returnees since the start of repatriation in 2017.