Reconciliation of Refugees Returning from Exile.

1. Introduction and context

Since February 2024 a serious flooding emerged in Gatumba zone and its surrounding area including the Beach of Tanganyika Lake. Those who fled from there were installed by the government in two different Internal Displaced camps in Bujumbura province. There is another group people who rent rooms to stay in or occupied empty compound in in Kajaga  quater not far from Gatumba where they came from. Those people are in miserable conditions. IPB is intervening with psychosocial assistance. For this reason a trauma healing workshop was conducted there from 28 t0 30 September 2024. Twenty six participant were there including 19 female and 7 male

In Gatumba area the following were identified as the main causes of trauma:

• Different assassinations that occurred there
• Kidnappings of people
• periodic flooding, between February and may
• plantation devastations following the flooding,
• polygamous,
• spread of AIDS,
• the extreme poverty,
• periodic attacks of rebel movement from RD Congo,
• food insecurity,
• Periodic movement of populations.

1. Some key stories from Gatumba workshop

Joel

As the Gatumba chief quarter this workshop was very important in these tough moment we are in. mainly knowing about trauma and its consequences. We have been since years ago in a cycle of violence, floods, food insecurities and other different calamities, we were in needed of being listened to release ourselves. I saw the power of the active listening in this workshop

Emmanuella

The sessions about symptoms and consequences of trauma help me to understand my psychological situation today. It was also very important to know that after a traumatic experience life must continue. I will apply what I come to learn. I will help my family members who are also traumatized

Audace

AS a local authority leader, I come to understand the power of active listening in resolving conflicts or other problems. My behavior and attitude are going to change when listening to population

Beatrice

My neighbors and my community accuse me of marching as men. As a female, it was like insulting me or putting me down.   After the session on the JOHARI’s window, I understood this as the way I was created and no way to change it. I’m like that and this makes my individual and personal identity. Since them I’m proud about that because marching as men gives me an added value.

Conclusion

IPB is proud to have conducted this workshop for the victims of the Gatumba flooding that lasted until today, when the new rain season started yet. Meaning that those people will stay in refuge’s camp or location for long period

• Workshop view and mood (DOCX)
• Gatumba_2.docx (DOCX)

IPB APRIL 2024 NARRATIVE REPORT

Circumstances in Burundi in April 2024

The April 2024 context in Burundi was characterized by effects of climate change such as:

-       A serious flood in localities such as Gatumba zone and its surroundings bordering the Tanganyika Lake and Rusizi River

-       Landslides of mountains overcoming Bujumbura city and Tanganyika Lake, including, for example, the destruction of offices of Kirasa Energy, a hydroelectric project in Muhuta Commune

-       Landslides on the roads

-       The flood for short period due to the heavy rains happened in interior of the country and undamaged plantation of rice, sweet potatoes, vegetables and more;

-       The lack of fuel has had a negative effect on the transportation sector

-       Due to the severe effects of flooding, the government moved all people living in those areas to Bujumbura and Mwaro provinces and has called for urgent intervention from local and international NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

Workers who were living in the flooded areas are struggling to find houses to rent and schools in which to integrate their children.

The price of most items that people need daily are raised daily.

IPB’S work in April 2024

In the month, April 2024, a three-day basic trauma healing workshop was conducted from April 29th to May 1^st at IPB-HROC office. Twenty-two (22) participants were present, eight (8) women and fourteen (14) men. Most of them are university graduates who are now jobless or using their small cellphones for money transaction or credit units. IPB is initiating a cooperative for young post-university students who are jobless today. It is supposed to start to make soap on the end of this May 2024.

Besides that, IPB is coaching eight Self-Help Groups on a weekly basis. These Self-Help Groups continue to function well. The members of these eight groups include both returnees from exile and others who stayed in Burundi.

Some key success stories

Jeremiah

My father told me that, during the monarchy period, my grandfather has many caws and a vast plot. The regional chief sent his people to take all caws and kill him with a hammer. This chief took the wealth and chased out my father who was a single child. Since then my father became poor until today. Looking at the way we struggle to get daily need I feel always weigh by the injustice that took my grandfather’s life and that is the consequences of bad life I live today.

I have developed trauma symptoms such as isolation, feeling always angry, lack of sleep, and flash back of my grandfather’s death

Alfred

Gerard

I lost my father and my daughter during the 1993 crises when I was little child. Those who killed them took with them all our wealth. By fearing them, my mother fled to Tanzania where we had bad life in Nyamutenderi Refugee Camp. We came back in 2005. Until today we don’t have a plot to live in. Whenever I thought about my father I cry a lot and I look to my father photo in whatsapp profile and I feel a spirit of revenge beating in inner heart.

I’m glad that I come to participate in this basic workshop where I come to learn about trauma, its steps, causes, symptoms and consequences. I also come to learn that after a trauma experience, life must continue

I skip the heart of revenge, I’ m going to plan for a peaceful vision in my life since now.

Thanks for the organizers and facilitators.

Reported by

Elie Nahimana

Project leader