Overview
Since gaining independence in 1961, Burundi has experienced tensions and violence over control of the government, principally between the Hutu and the Tutsi-led political parties. Widespread politically-motivated violence peaked in 1972 and 1993, killing 300,000 people and forcing 700,000 Burundians from their homes. In April 1994, President Ntayamira died in a plane crash, which triggered the genocide in neighboring Rwanda and engulfed Burundi in another decade of conflict. A regionally-promoted peace process in 2005 led to a post-transition government. Progress in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Burundian authorities and the Front National de Libération (FNL) led to the creation of the December 2008 Declaration, the best chance in decades for durable peace in Burundi.

Current humanitarian situation
A landlocked, resource-poor country, Burundi is facing huge challenges in absorbing formerly displaced people who are now returning home. Over 460,000 Burundian refugees have returned, including 70,000 this year. At least 165,000 internally displaced people have returned to their areas of origin, most of them without any external assistance, but more than 100,000 displaced people remain in camps. Major concerns are related to the insufficient current capacity of the government to help the returnees reintegrate, in particular to assure their access to their land and properties. The current land dispute mechanism, the Land and Other Properties Commission, is overwhelmed, and many returnees are stuck in temporary facilities while waiting for their cases to be resolved. Thousands of others unable to identify their areas of origin also crowd transit centers hoping to find accommodations in new “Peace Villages”, a reconciliation-oriented settlement policy set up by the Burundian government. Basic community services, such as education and health care, are insufficient for the increased number of beneficiaries, while livelihood opportunities other then agriculture remain too scarce.

Actions needed
• The government of Burundi should increase its capacity to address land disputes and accelerate the implementation of the Peace Villages policy. The government should also invest in areas of high returns through the expansion of basic services and creation of livelihood opportunities.
• Donor countries should support reintegration and recovery activities and help the Burundian government in strengthening its decentralized state structures.