By Elie Nahimana | Project Leader
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 1st 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
By Elie Nahimana | Project Leader
By Elie Nahimana | Project Leader
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