Summary of major revisions made to emergency plan of action:
This update provides a brief overview of the Burundi Red Cross Societies (BRCS) actions to date, in preparations for the start of the response activities covered by the Emergency Appeal. The appeal coverage at the time of writing this report is 0%, however there are soft pledges amounting to 708,342 Swift franc from, Netherlands Red Cross (54,584 Swiss franc), Norwegian Red Cross (175,000 Swiss franc), Canadian Red Cross (41,484 Swiss franc), British Red Cross (386,715 Swiss franc) and Japanese Red Cross (50,600 Swiss franc) which when actualized will raise the appeal coverage to 46%, donors are encouraged to support the appeal to enable BRCS provide assistance to the targeted beneficiaries through the planned activities as detailed in the Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA). A DREF loan of 161,922 Swiss franc was processed and transferred to BRCS on the 18th April.
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
April 2015: Following the President’s decision to run for another term, tensions and violence erupted in the capital city (Bujumbura) and other provinces. This resulted in a casualties and large numbers of people fleeing the country.
June and July 2015: Presidential elections went ahead, however following Nkurunziza’s electoral success, opposition groups in exile aligned to form the National Council for the Restoration of the Arusha Accords.
September 2015: The El Niño weather phenomenon brought extensive rains, winds, landslides and floods in 15 out of 18 provinces causing extensive and widespread destruction. Normally, most of the affected provinces don’t have problems with flooding and heavier than usual rainfall. The floods resulted in 80 deaths, 170 people injured, 821 houses damaged, 4,112 houses destroyed along with 15,265 hectares of cultivated fields, 154 schools and 50 bridges destroyed/damaged. It is estimated that 30,408 people have been affected (Burundi Red Cross Society).
January – February 2016: IFRC deployed a one-person surge team (supported by British Red Cross) to work with BRCS to identify the priority needs and response actions.
March 2016: An IFRC surge operations manager (supported by Swedish Red Cross) was deployed to support the start-up of the operation and ensure coordination of activities with Movement and non-Movement partners.
April 2016: Emergency Appeal launched for CHF 1,532,090. IFRC`s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (DREF) of 161,922 Swiss franc allocated to support the start of assistance.
This update provides information regarding the first 14 days of the operation since the launch of the Appeal.