Burundian Refugee exodus 2015
Since the announcement of President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for an illegal third term (both the Burundian constitution and the Peace agreements of Arusha 2005 forbid a 3rd presidential term), the police and military have been cracking down on the opposition movement made out of students and ordinary citizens, heavy-handedly mistreating, hurting and killing civilians since April 2015. The result is a constant stream of refugees leaving Burundi to seek shelter in the neighboring countries, notably Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. Overflowing refugee camps are a logistical nightmare for the UNHCR ( United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
Through our personal contacts, we are able to usher our people through Rwanda to Uganda, where they are hosted by partnering churches like the Pentecostal church of Bombo. They still register with the UNHCR, but are lodged outside refugee camps in a setting allowing them to participate in the life of their hosts and be creative and productive.
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LIVING IN FEAR
A recent testimony from August 10th, 2015
Since the beginning of the crisis in April, the population lives in fear. Intimidations led some to flee. Those who remained were hoping that after the presidential elections the situation would normalize. However, they continue to observe many killings by both the government and the opposition. There are these two opposing blocks that confront each other without making too much noise. Several weapons are seized here and there; and there are proof suggesting that some of these weapons belong to some opponents, and others to pro-government youth. If you want to survive for even a day, you have to avoid making public comments about what is happening in the country.
Please, I beg you not to disclose my name or I might suffer the same fate as the others!!! This is the situation not only in my village but it is almost general.
Picture gallery of Burundian refugees who arrived in Uguanda registering with the UNHCR to gain refugee status
August 13th: A group of Burundian refugees arrived in Bombo , Uganda after several days of transit through Rwanda. They are currently
hosted by Pastor Alex Ojera and his congregation. Emery (see gallery, man with crutches), was shot in both legs by police in Burundi and is awaiting the Medical mission organized by Peninsula Community Church in Palos Verdes to be seen by our good friend Dr. Dapo Popola from the organization HEALTHY AFRICA
We hope to channel many more refugees through our own network for them to avoid the bleak prospective of having to live in a mass refugee camp and becoming a non productive faceless number. Our vision is for them to have a normal life, purpose and integration into a community where they can lend their talents and gifts to be productive and fruitful.