DATE=8/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNHCR / BURUNDI (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265778
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R,
says there has been a sharp increase in the number of
Burundian refugees fleeing into western Tanzania.
Lisa Schlein in Geneva has this report.
TEXT: The United Nations Refugee Agency says about
160 people a day are crossing into Tanzania from
Burundi. It says this is up from just over 100 per
day in July and less than 30 a day in June.
Delphine Marie of the U-N-H-C-R says the refugees are
fleeing Burundi despite increased military activity
near the border and the deployment of Burundi
government soldiers to stop civilians from leaving.
She says the last time so many refugees were on the
move was in December and January when fighting erupted
between the government and rebels.
///MARIE ACT///
Since then, the numbers both in Kigoma and Ngara
in Tanzania had been steadily declining so we
had been hoping for an improving situation. The
latest figures from July and August show that
this is not the case. So, we are monitoring the
situation and waiting to see towards the end of
August and September how this will evolve. But,
it certainly is a worrying trend.
///END ACT///
Ms. Marie says most of the recent arrivals are
crossing to camps around Kibonda, at the mid-point
between Ngara and Kigoma. She says many of the
refugees who managed to cross in the past month
abandoned homes in Ruyigi province, after being caught
in the crossfire between the government and rebel
troops. She notes aid workers in Tanzania's border
districts report hearing regular gunfire and
explosions from Burundi. Ms. Marie says the refugees
report they fled in fear of their lives.
///2ND MARIE ACT///
A lot of these people have endured bad treatment.
Civilians have been beaten, houses were demolished and
some of the women were abused by the rebels. So, they
have really no choice but to seek refuge somewhere
else.
///END ACT///
Ms. Marie says most of the refugees crossing the
border are women and children. But, she says some
young men also manage to escape. She says they are
running from the military which tries to forcibly
recruit them into the army or suspect them of
collaborating with rebel groups. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/FC
23-Aug-2000 09:45 AM EDT (23-Aug-2000 1345 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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