Burundi
Newsline
Women parliamentarians lead major changes in African politics
NEW YORK, USA, 22 July 2008 – Several African countries are at the forefront of a growing trend to substantially increase female representation in parliaments around the world.
Over 200 child soldiers demobilized in Burundi
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 06 May 2008 – Over 200 demobilized child soldiers were recently released to officials from UNICEF, The United Nations, the African Union and the government of Burundi. The children were being held by dissidents from the rebel group the Palipehutu-FNL and negotiations for the children’s release became urgent after fighting intensified.
Challenges await Burundian refugees expelled from Tanzania
MUYINGA, Burundi, 5 December 2007 – Chantal Nizigiyimana has been back in her home country of Burundi for only a few months, having lived in Tanzania since she was a young child. In 1993, her family was among hundreds of thousands of Burundians who fled across the border in order to avoid conflict.
Youth journalists in Burundi interview their president on child trafficking
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 27 June 2007 – After a recent public outcry, the goal of ending child trafficking has been strongly backed by Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Drumming up pride among post-war Burundi’s street children
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 9 April 2007 – Thierry is known at the Stamm Foundation as the boy who shook hands with Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General. That was last year at the Fifth African Development Forum in Addis Ababa, when the young drummers of ‘Les Tambourinaires’ performed at a farewell reception for Mr. Annan.
UN Special Representative commends demobilization of child soldiers in Burundi
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 27 March, 2007 – The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, has commended Burundi for its demobilization of child soldiers, and UNICEF is part of the success story.
Death toll rises and children abandon school as Burundi food crisis deepens
NEW YORK, USA, 14 February 2007 – Hunger and flooding in Burundi have killed some children, have made more homeless and are keeping others out of school. Reports from a recent tour around six provinces show a mounting death toll from the crisis.
Thousands homeless and without food after floods in Burundi
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 26 January 2007 – Massive flooding hit 13 of Burundi’s 17 provinces last week, leaving thousands of families homeless and without food and drinking water.
Youth journalists interview Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza on key issues
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 17 October 2006 – Despite his government’s cautious relations with private radio stations and journalists, President Pierre Nkurunziza last week granted a one-hour candid interview to 14 child journalists and warmly praised UNICEF for training the youths.
Free birth services in Burundi to help cut maternal and child deaths
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 11 May 2006 – In a recovery room at Burundi’s biggest hospital, the Prince Regent Charles, 18-year-old Jocelyne Ndayizeye’s face is a study in pain and triumph. Her son has been delivered by caesarian section and she has survived one of the country’s deadliest obstacle courses – giving birth to a child. In Burundi, mothers are congratulated for ‘crossing the abyss’.
UNICEF Executive Director underlines needs of orphans, nutritional issues
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 7 March 2006 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman has praised the Government of Burundi for its work on child education, but has also drawn attention to the challenges relating to orphans and children living with HIV/AIDS.
UN agency heads call for new commitment to help Africa's Great Lakes region
NAIROBI, Kenya, 3 March 2006 – The heads of three of the largest United Nations humanitarian agencies today urged the international community to match political progress in the Great Lakes region with a new commitment to end the suffering of the millions of people forgotten by the rest of the world.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director sees Burundi's progress in education and demobilization of child soldiers
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 7 February 2006 – During her visit to Burundi, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah praised the country’s effort in providing free primary education for all children, and the success in demobilizing more than 3,000 child soldiers.
In Burundi, the promise of universal primary education struggles with limited resources
GATUMBA, Burundi, 6 February 2006 – Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital, is a hopeful place these days. As a new government struggles to normalize the country after 13 years of bloody civil war, the city’s quiet bustle and subtle energy signal some wonderful changes taking place just below the surface.
Burundi: Free primary education for all children
NEW YORK, 7 September 2005 – After 12 years of civil war, Burundi now has a new democratic government, and the reconstruction process is gathering momentum. As part of his programme, President Pierre Nkurunziza has reaffirmed his pledge to provide free primary education for all the country’s children.
Burundi: New ECHO and UNICEF supported drug policy prevents child deaths
MUYINGA, Burundi, 27 June 2005 – When 8-month-old Sibonna first arrived at Burundi’s Muyinga Provincial Hospital, he was dying of malaria, a disease which kills more people in this African country than HIV/AIDS, war or any other cause. His mother had already succumbed to the disease.
ECHO and UNICEF: Tackling sexual violence in Burundi
MUYINGA, Burundi, 6 June 2005 – Head bowed, a 13-year-old girl tearfully recounts one of the most horrifying moments of her short life. Her mother listens in shock.
Woman’s mission for Burundi children was sparked by genocide
Marguerite Barankitse remembers the day her mission in Burundi began: It was the day a Tutsi mob tied her up and made her watch the slaughter of 72 Hutus, many of them children. The carnage lasted for ten hours, but her dream of peace and a united country never faltered.
