Bujumbura: children victims of the high cost of living

Food prices are rising day by day making the life too expensive. Having enough food to eat is a problem for many families. Those who have young children now say that it is impossible to have a balanced diet because of soaring prices on the market. They are content with small quantities so that the children do not starve.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

A mother met at the COTEBU market (north of Bujumbura) indicates that she cannot think of buying fruit for the children when she has neither flour nor beans.

Sabine, lemonade seller at the COTEBU market and mother of five and having taken in two other members of the family in her home, reports that she has stopped taking the two liters of milk daily that she usually paid per month for her children because of soaring prices.

She adds that she tries to manage the few resources she can find but that she cannot give her children balanced foods.

Another woman met in Kamenge (north of the commercial city) says she does not remember when she bought fruit for her children.

“Life is too expensive and basic necessities are beyond our means and our children pay the price,” she complains.

Jérémie, father of four children with an unemployed wife, indicates that it is impossible for him today to cover all the needs of his family.

He also adds that it is not easy to diversify the dishes to give to children due to lack of resources.

“Feeding the family today while thinking about the balance of the children’s diet is very difficult,” he insists with a tight smile.

He says “just find enough daily food for the children to eat their fill, while for balance, the means do not allow it today.”

Everyone is aware that children need a balanced diet composed of vegetables and fruits, cereals and proteins and that they also need three meals a day, but today, with the high cost of living, it is almost impossible.

All of these parents interviewed indicate that they only make sure that the children have at least two meals a day and, if possible, three.

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A mother breastfeeds her child in Burundi