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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |
BURUNDI: 440 civilians reported killed in recent fighting in eastern Burundi
NAIROBI, 4 April 2003 (IRIN) - An independent radio station in Burundi, African Public Radio, reported on Thursday that around 440 civilians have been killed in fighting in the eastern province of Ruyigi since January.
The radio, which has an office in Ruyigi, said the civilians died in fighting between the rebel CNDD-FDD (National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy) and government troops in Gisuru commune in Ruyigi.
The report, based on survivors' testimonies and interviews with local officials, said hundreds of houses had been looted and burnt.
Ruyigi province, bordering Tanzania, has been the centre of continued fighting between rebels and the army for a number of months. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the whole province.
Hundreds of people displaced by the fighting in the hills have been sleeping rough in the bush, local officials have reported. Humanitarian agencies say the Burundian army has prevented them from delivering food and medicine to the displaced, claiming the area is insecure.
Themes: (IRIN) Conflict, (IRIN) Refugees/IDPs
[ENDS]
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