Burundi: 2 die, 15 000 flee
2010-02-14 21:55
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Bujumbura - At least two people have died of starvation and more than 15 000 have fled their homes in north east Burundi, in the grip of a drought for two months, the Kirundo province governor said.
"The inhabitants of Kirundo have been confronted by famine for the past two months because of a severe drought," Juvenal Muvunyi told AFP.
"In Bugabira district two people died of hunger on Nyabihe hill and 11 566 other have fled their homes, some towards neighbouring countries (Rwanda and Tanzania) or into other provinces," he said.
"In Busoni a further 800 families, that is about 4 000 people, have also fled their homes and we estimate that some 100 000 people are significantly affected by hunger," he added.
"The situation is alarming because a lot of people don't have anything left to eat... We are appealing to all our partners to quickly come to the aid of these people in need," the governor said.
Kirundo, which lies some 230km north east of the capital Bujumbura, used to be known as the bread basket of Burundi but for the past 10 years it has been subject to cyclical food shortages caused by droughts.
- SAPA
