Buganda : 288 displaced people find refuge at the Gateri site

Since the end of November 2024, 288 displaced people from the Gatumba zone, located in the district of Mutimbuzi not far from the border with Congo, have been welcomed at the Gateri site, in the district of Buganda, province of Cibitoke (northwest Burundi). These displacements follow the floods that occurred in recent days. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

For these victims of natural disasters, it is a relief to be settled in this site. However, they are asking for guarantees regarding their safety, as well as basic infrastructure such as a health center and a market to improve their living conditions.

Reception conditions considered mixed

Jean Marie Mpawenimana, chief of the Gateri site, says that the new arrivals have relatively acceptable living conditions. “288 people are now settled on this site,” he said. However, he urgently appealed to the government and benefactors to come to the aid of these displaced persons. He stressed the need to provide them with food and medicine to meet their immediate needs.

According to him, these displaced persons will probably reside on this site for several years. He therefore called on humanitarian partners and the government to build schools and health facilities for them while ensuring a regular supply of drinking water.

Call for sustainable assistance

Inhabitants of the area, questioned on the situation, also urged humanitarians and public authorities to build sustainable housing for these displaced persons. They stressed that temporary shelters, made of tents, cannot withstand bad weather, especially during this rainy season. These families, who hope to stay on site in the long term, also stressed the need to develop agricultural land. However, the immediate proximity of the river Rusizi, located 300 meters away, limits possibilities of agricultural exploitation.

Commitment of local authorities

The chief of staff of the governor of the province, Anicet Saidi, wanted to reassure these displaced people. He affirmed that the government is working to equip the Gateri site with all the necessary infrastructure to ensure their well-being. The promises include the construction of basic infrastructure, including schools and health centers, as well as the supply of drinking water.

This mobilization of the authorities and humanitarian partners will be crucial to enable these families to overcome consequences of the floods and rebuild their lives in dignified and secure conditions.