Floods in Burundi: Tdh distributes basic necessities

Following heavy rainfall in Burundi on the night of Sunday, February 9, Terre des hommes (Tdh) began an urgent response (http://www.tdh.ch/en/news/floods-basic-necessities) to support the population by providing material assistance and basic necessities.

The torrential rains that fell for about twelve hours in the Bujumbura region of Burundi caused serious human casualties and material damage. According to local authorities, there were 69 fatalities and 187 injuries , of which 84 were considered serious. The floods also destroyed 3,784 homes. The toll was heavy for a town “that has never seen so many victims due to weather,” lamented a Bujumbura police official.

The natural disaster affected two provinces in particular: Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura Rural. According to the Ministry of Security, 20,000 people have been directly affected by the floods. A national program to help victims has been established, but aid has barely begun to reach those impacted.

Tdh provides aide to affected children

Tdh has been present in Burundi since 1985 conducting its Child Protection programs and immediately mobilized in the affected villages of Buterere and Isare. 120 blankets have been made available for the injured arriving in local hospitals.

With financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Tdh is preparing an emergency response for the affected population, especially children. The project plans to support the children in returning to school by providing them with clothing and school supplies. 2,000 kits, including clothes, notebooks and pens will be distributed primarily in the village of Isare and at the schools near Butere.

Through its emergency project, the Foundation will also support the construction of 50 houses in the village of Isare. For this, 25 sections of sheet metal and five kilos of nails will be made available to villagers for the reconstruction of each house.

Finally, Tdh plans to organize psychosocial activities for affected children. These activities will allow children to be accompanied and guided towards basic services (schooling, health services, psychological support), and they will help identify children with special needs. In connection with these activities that are mainly focused on games, Tdh social workers will also educate children on good hygiene practices.

Terre des hommes brings about a positive change in the lives of over two million children and their family members each year. Learn more about our projects in Burundi (http://www.tdh.ch/en/countries/burundi)