Support Flood-Affected Children in Burundi

Walking in Grace for Lifelong Impact (WiGLI) successfully implemented an assistance intervention for vulnerable children affected by recurrent flooding in Gatumba, Burundi. The intervention was designed to support children and families experiencing difficulties in accessing essential hygiene items, school supplies, footwear, and other basic needs.

The intervention initially targeted 150 vulnerable children. Following identification, verification, and validation of beneficiaries, WiGLI successfully supported 155 vulnerable children from 155 families, exceeding the original target by 5 children and achieving 103.3% of the target.

The beneficiary identification and registration process was conducted using digital data collection tools to strengthen the accuracy, traceability, and documentation of the intervention. WiGLI used digital tools to register and verify beneficiaries, update relevant information, and document the assistance provided. This approach helped ensure that support reached children from families affected by the floods.

The support focused on practical needs affecting children's hygiene, well-being, and ability to continue their education. Each of the 155 children received 5 exercise copybooks, 4 pens, 1 pair of plastic shoes, and 3 bars of soap. In addition, 55 adolescent girls received 2 sanitary pads each, providing targeted support for their menstrual hygiene needs. Overall, the assistance provided essential school and hygiene supplies while addressing specific needs among adolescent girls.

In addition to the material assistance, the intervention included sensitization on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene, the importance of education and continued schooling, and the well-being of children and families affected by flooding.

Community sensitization: A team of 11 WiGLI staff conducted sensitization sessions at the distribution sites, reaching 515 family members accompanying or representing the beneficiary households, as well as 4 representatives of local authorities. The sessions covered key messages on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene, the importance of education and continued schooling, child protection, psychosocial well-being, access to available services, flood and climate-related risks, and environmental protection. These sessions extended the benefits of the intervention beyond the individual child beneficiaries to their families and the wider community.

The intervention was implemented with attention to transparency, equity, dignity, child protection, confidentiality, and accountability. Beneficiary information and assistance received were documented to support monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and reporting. The intervention's design also provided for documentation of beneficiary registration, receipt of assistance, sensitization activities, and information required for follow-up and reporting.

Overall, WiGLI reached 155 vulnerable children from 155 families, surpassing the initial target of 150 children. In addition, 515 family members and 4 local authority representatives participated in sensitization activities. The intervention provided timely practical support to children whose living conditions and access to essential supplies had been affected by flooding, while reinforcing important messages on hygiene, education, child protection, psychosocial well-being, and resilience.

This achievement demonstrates WiGLI's capacity to deliver targeted, accountable, and community-based assistance to vulnerable children and families affected by humanitarian emergencies.