Brussels-The European Commission is releasing 4.5 million pound in humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of refugees from Burundi that have fled to neighbouring countries, the Commission said Thursday.
More than 175,000 people, the majority of them women and children, are estimated to have left the country.
“We cannot overlook the deteriorating humanitarian situation affecting Burundi.
“Refugee numbers are up in the last three months which is a serious cause of concern in an already fragile region,’’ EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, said.
Stylianides added the additional EU humanitarian funding would help neighbouring countries accommodate refugees and meet their most urgent needs.
According to the Commissioner, it is a strong signal of the EU’s solidarity with the most vulnerable people caught in a difficult situation beyond their control.
Stylianides underlined the generous hospitality of the countries in the region who have welcomed their Burundian neighbours.
“The EU funding increase brings the total humanitarian aid for the Great Lakes region for 2015 to 56.5 million pounds.
According to the statement, the aid released mainly for Burundi refugees amounts to 9 million pounds since the end of April, when their numbers started growing.
Certain refugee camps have become overpopulated and health risks have continuously worsened.
Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have been experiencing flows of refugees from Burundi since April.
Those arriving cited intimidation, threats and fear of violence as reasons for leaving the country.
Tanzania is so far the main hosting country with nearly 80,000 Burundi refugees having arrived, followed by Rwanda (71,158), DRC (13,368), and Uganda (11,165).
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The most urgent humanitarian needs to address in the host countries are shelter, water supply and sanitation facilities, as well as health assistance to stop the possible surge of diseases and epidemics, notably cholera. (PANA/NAN)