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INI TIATIVE REPORT ON MISSION TO BURUNDI

Sunday 16th – Friday 21st September 2007

Joint Technical Mission Report

Contents of this Report

1. Background 2. Recent Developments in Burundi Political, Economic and Social Situation 3. Vulnerable Groups in Burundi 4. Institutional and Organizational Framework in the Water Sector 5. Findings from the Field Visit to the secondary towns: Rutana, Gitega, Cankuzo,

Muyinga and Ngozi 6. Meetings with Development Partners: UN Agencies, GTZ/KWF 7. Recommendations and Way Forward

Source du Nil (southernmost source of the Nile)

LAKE VICTORIA REGION WATER AND SANITATION INITIATIVE

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1 BACKGROUND TO THE MISSION

1.1 Objective of the Mission

To carry out a preliminary technical assessment on prevailing water and sanitation conditions and the needs for interventions in the proposed secondary towns.

1.2 Composition of the Mission

Mission was carried out jointly by representatives of the Government of Burundi and UN-HABITAT team members:

UN-HABITAT a) Mr. Robert Goodwin Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) Lake Victoria Water and

Sanitation Initiative Water Sanitation and Infrastructure Branch; Head of Mission. b) Mr. Pieter Van Dongen, Consultant; Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative c) Ms Anne Malebo, Consultant; Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative; d) Francois Muhirwe HPM Burundi e) Mr Moise Kagayo- Driver

UNDP a) Mr. Louis Nduwimana, Deputy Country Representative b) Mr. Aron Nsavyimana, Information and communication Officer c) Mr. Hérménegilde Kamenge, driver Government of Burundi a) Mr. Didace Birabisha, Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Public Works; Head of

Mission b) Mr. Anselme Wakana, Director General; Ministry of Public Works; c) Mr. Denis Barandemaje, Ministry of Environment and Tourism d) Mme Scolastique Ntirampeba, Ministry of Gender and Human Rights e) Mr Déo Simbare and Mr Oscar Ndayishimiye, Ministry of Public Works; drivers

1.3 Expected outputs a) A preliminary assessment report of the secondary towns, and recommendations

for the selection of pilot secondary towns; b) A draft of the Memorandum of Understanding between UN-HABITAT and the

Government of Burundi to support selected secondary towns in achieving the water and sanitation related Millennium Development Goals.

1.4 Mission preparation

During the preparatory phase of this mission the UN-HABITAT Programme Manager (HPM) made consultations with the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Minister of Internal Security, and Ministry of Gender and Human Rights to prepare the mission and sort out security issues. Furthermore, consultations were held with the UNDP Country Representative and BINUB headquarters office.

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2 GENERAL INFORMATION ON BURUNDI

2.1 Physiography

The Republic of Burundi is a small country in the Great Lakes region of Africa. It is a landlocked country, bordered by Rwanda on the north, Tanzania on the south and east, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west. Most of its western border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika.

The country's modern name is derived from its Bantu language, Kirundi. Geographically isolated, facing population pressures and having scarce resources, Burundi has the lowest GDP per capita in the world, arguably making it the poorest country on the planet. It is also one of the most conflict-ridden countries in Africa. Its small size belies the magnitude of the problems it faces in reconciling the claims of the Tutsi with the Hutu majority.

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Burundi has an equatorial highland climate. Called "The Heart of Africa", it lays on a rolling plateau, with Lake Tanganyika in its southwest corner. The average elevation of the central plateau is 1,700m amsl, with lower elevations at the eastern border. The highest peak, Mount Karonje (2,685m), lies to the southeast of the capital Bujumbura. Elevation at the southeastern and southern borders is roughly 1,400m. Only the strip of land along the Ruzizi River, north of Lake Tanganyika, is an area below 1,000 m: this valley forms part of the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the Great East African Rift Valley.

Land use is mostly agricultural or pastoral, the creation of which has led to deforestation, soil erosion and habitat loss. Deforestation of the entire country is almost complete due to population pressure, with a mere 600 km² of original tropical forest remaining and an ongoing loss of about nine percent per annum. There are two national parks, Kibira National Park to the northwest (a small region of montane rainforest, adjacent to Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda), and Ruvubu National Park to the north east along the Ruvubu River.

The country is administratively divided into 17 provinces, 117 communes, and 2,638 collines. Provinces include Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie (Municipality/urban), Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutan and Ruyigi.

2.2 Population

As of July 2006, Burundi is projected to have an estimated population of 8,090,068, approximately half of which are aged 14 or less. This estimate explicitly takes into account the effects of AIDS, which has a significant effect on the demographics of the country. Roughly 85% of the population are of Hutu ethnic origin; most of the remaining population are Tutsi, with a small minority of Twa (Pygmy), and a few thousand Europeans and South Asians. The population density of around 315 people per square kilometers (753/sq mi) is the second highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind only Rwanda. The Twa are thought to be the original inhabitants of the area, with Hutu and Tutsi settlers arriving in the 1300s and 1400s respectively

The largest religion is Roman Catholicism (62%), followed by indigenous beliefs (23%) and a minority of Protestants (5%) and Muslims (10%). However, Christian population may be as high as 90% with most of the remainder being Muslims. The official languages are Kirundi and French, although Swahili is also spoken along the eastern border.

2.3 Culture

The culture of Burundi is related to that of neighboring countries and its prominence has been limited by the civil war. Burundian people are generally thought to be quiet and reserved. It is often said that you can offend a Burundian or even cheat him and even if he knows you are cheating him, he will never tell you. In their traditional philosophy anyone talking too much is not considered to be intelligent.

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2.4 Recent Political, Economic and Social Developments in Burundi

Since the signing of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi on 28th August 2000, the final ceasefire agreement in Dar es Salaam on 16th November 2002 between the Transitional Government of Burundi and the main armed movement CNDD-FDD, and the comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the elected government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL on 7th September 2006 in Dar es Salaam, the growing stability and improvement of the security situation has encouraged the return of refugee populations to the country.

The establishment of democratic institutions marks a decisive juncture in the restoration of peace, the rule of law, and the restoration of calm, all of which are essential to Burundi’s socio-economic development. This political change was made possible by varied forms of support from the international community through United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB), which ensured the smooth operation of the entire process.

The government is now in peace talks with the last rebel movement through its two branches within the framework of the democratic process in place. Nonetheless, during the same period, poverty has worsened considerably. This pauperization is further aggravated today because of the scant resources available to government and households and the presence of a large number of disaster victims resulting from the conflict, such as refugees, the internally displaced, street children, and orphans.

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3 VULNERABLE GROUPS IN BURUNDI

The remaining internal displaced Persons IDPs are among the most vulnerable population groups, one cannot easily say the same for returnees. On the other hand, many local population groups which have never been displaced, still live in a precarious situation, due to the years of upheaval, rain shortage, manioc disease or other structural problems. Also, female-headed households, HIV/AIDS-affected families as well as handicapped or elderly households might well figure amongst any of the above-mentioned groups.

3.1 Internally Displaced Persons

If today only 117,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain in 160 sites scattered all over the country, OCHA estimates a core of 60,000 who will never be able to return to their places of origin and for whom alternative income possibilities and improved housing have to be made available. The reasons given for their unwillingness to return are security concerns, on one hand for mainly northern and central regions, fear of their former neighbors in the collines of origin and inter-community tensions, followed by concerns for cross-border banditry and crime. On the other hand, motivating factors to remain in the sites seem to be less banditry, but rather their relatively favorable location and comparatively better housing and shelter than in their zones of origin. Also, social ties, especially for those presenting specific vulnerabilities, such as the elderly, disabled, sick and traumatized, seem to be another reason to remain in a refugee site rather than go back to an isolated village of origin.

The 2005 survey also shows that 58% of the displaced population is concentrated in the northern and central provinces of Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga and Gitega. This is a new distribution of internally displaced population compared to previous years and in comparison with the year 2004, when two thirds of IDPs in Burundi were located in the provinces of Makamba, Gitega, Kayanza and Bujumbura Rural. The results of the survey also point to the existence of sites where displaced persons and returning refugees coexist, particularly in the southern and eastern provinces. 18,5% of persons in the sites of the southern and eastern provinces are returnees from Tanzania. It should be pointed out that the proportion of returnees staying at displacement sites varies greatly from one region to another, with sites in the eastern provinces accommodating the highest percentages (up to 65% in the site of Gisuru, Ruyigi province, the second largest concentration being Nyanza-Lac in Makamba).

3.2 Refugees and Returnees

Today, over 200,000 Burundian refugees remain (registered by UNHCR) in the Tanzanian refugee camps. Following the elections, large groups are already coming back. In Rutana alone, there are 3,000 refugee repatriates arriving every month.

3.3 Women, Adolescents and Children

Generally, the displaced, orphans, children and female-headed households, as well as the Batwa minority (1%), are among the most vulnerable groups within Burundi society. Especially female and child-headed households are particularly vulnerable

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and in need of special attention. Infant and maternal mortality rates are at alarming levels owing to the poor quality of health care, the limited access to that care and food insecurity. Adding to this, there is an equally high level of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) all around the country; and a survey by UNFPA came to the conclusion that, while armed forces are still the main perpetrators of acts of abuse and violence, up to 50% of perpetrators of rape are non-armed individuals. The lack of respect for children’s rights is also a concern, with abuse and violence regularly reported in schools.

Widows make up 31 percent of heads of household among the internally displaced households. This category is still vulnerable because of gender-based discriminatory practices such as access to inheritance, land, credit, and education.

3.4 HIV/AIDS

Though very few statistics are available on the rates of HIV/AIDS infection in Burundi, the limited data available indicates an infection rate of 3.6% amongst the whole population. The average infection rate in semi-urban and urban areas is estimated at 9-10% whereas the infection rate in rural areas is estimated at 2.5%. The high-risk groups are young people from 12-18 years with an average infection rate of 3.6% (3.6% for the group of 12-15 years; 3.9% for the group of 18 years). WFP undertakes monthly food distributions to AIDS infected and HIV positive beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries for August 2005 was 16,135 households.

3.5 Child Headed Households/Children

Like the above-mentioned vulnerable groups, children make up a significant share of victims of conflict and AIDS. They are the orphans and street children, abandoned children, former child soldiers, HIV positive children, and children heads of household. The data appear to indicate that while 24 percent and 27 percent of non-orphan boys and non-orphan girls work more than four hours per day, respectively, these proportions increase to 36 percent and 40 percent for orphan boys and orphan girls, respectively.

3.6 Widowed Heads of Households

One of the consequences of the war and HIV/AIDS is the appearance of a large number of widowed heads of household. For this reason, widows make up 31 percent of heads of household among the internally displaced households. This category is still vulnerable because of gender-based discriminatory practices such as access to inheritance, land, credit, and education.

3.7 The Elderly and Disabled:

There are very little data on the disabled in Burundi, but the conflict can be expected to be a key factor explaining the growing number of the physically and emotionally disabled among the population.

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3.8 The Batwas

As far as the Batwas are concerned, despite their low numbers—they represent only 1 percent of the population—it is a fact that they have been stripped of everything and are isolated socially and culturally. This category of the Burundian population was particularly discriminated against in the past years.

3.9 Ex-Combatants / disarmed /children soldiers

Disarment, demobilization and reintegration have become one of the positive processes of transition since it started in December 2004. As of 25 January 2006, a total of 19,739 ex-combatants and former soldiers were demobilized. Of these, 16,242 are adult males, 482 adult females and 3,015 children. Demobilized ex-combatants and former soldiers were given reinsertion payments to support them in the adaption process for a period of 18 months. The majority of these people are from poor families, living in poor neighbourhoods; they have less schooling than the already low average around them; they lost their social networks, which are important components to progress. The mission observed a lot of unemployed youth in visited towns; many of these are living in truly tough conditions.

The biggest challenge is the re-integration of the ex-combatants into civilian life. The long-term goal is to acquire sustainable social and economic roles in a peaceful society. Pressure on land is so high that alternative livelihoods or more “modern” agricultural methods to improve land use and diversity of crop choices are vital, as well as alternative means of employment have to be created in the formal and informal sector. The official target for the government is to re-integrate a total of 25,000 people by December 2007.

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4 INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK IN THE WATER SECTOR.

4.1 General – Lack of Coordination

A large number of national institutions, including nine government ministries, as well as several funding organizations are involved in the management of water resources. This has resulted in poor coordination, planning, and exploitation of the resource, creating conflicts in the allocation of water among sectors and incoherent collection and storage of information. This fragmentation has had significant impacts on the development and management of national water resources, especially drinking water supply and sanitation. In 1992 a legal framework for water was set up, but until now it is not supported by detailed regulations or means of implementation, handicapping its effectiveness. A new national water policy is now under development.

The overall objectives in the sector are to find efficient and equitable means of meeting demands for potable water and other uses, to improve the availability of water at an affordable price, to coordinate sectoral interests, and to achieve optimal utilization of water in the context of sustainable development in Burundi. The main issues are outlined below.

4.2 Institutional Organization

The water supply infrastructure is managed and maintained by the rural water board under the framework of the provincial coordinator of the communal water boards, personnel of the DHER (Direction Générale de l’Hydraulique et de l’Energie Rurales) and in towns by the officer in charge for the REGIDESO (Régie de Production et de Distribution de l’Eau et de l’Electricité = National Water Services Board). Operation and maintenance of the water supply installations is ensured by the user committees of the water points at local level.

4.3 Policy

The sector is controlled by several ministries, leading to competition in the sharing of responsibilities, with little compatibility in the skills available. The legal framework of 1992 has many gaps, and currently lacks a means of implementation. It has been suggested that a single institution should be provided with the legal means to coordinate the sectoral interests and achieve stable management of water resources. The guiding principles of a new water policy have been formulated, and this is currently being further developed under the GTZ-KfW supported project.

4.4 Planning and development.

There are significant problems in the planning and utilization of water resources due to poor coordination of activities between the various actors in the government as well as the challenges posed by physical factors (steep relief, dispersed and unplanned pattern of settlement, high spatial and temporal variability of the resource). Planning and management of water resources in Burundi aims to address the multi-sectoral use

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of resources, taking into account the environmental aspects and allowing for the costs of operation, maintenance, and upgrading of infrastructure. One of the main issues for the future is the improvement of access to potable drinking water.

4.5 Environmental Issues

Problems include drought and desertification in peripheral regions, progressive decline in water quality due to demographic pressure, deforestation and soil erosion, especially along the river Ruvubu, bacterial pollution from untreated sewage discharge which affects drinking water supplies, and high sediment loads which impair hydropower generation.

4.6 Data and Information.

Data and information on water resources are scattered across several ministries. Analysis of the data is difficult because they are not standardized, collection is not systematic or regular, and there is no central database.

4.7 Challenges

At the national and local administrative level, there are few skilled human resources in water management. The country is facing lack of financial resources and the private sector is not active in water management and does not invest there. Farming systems are mainly subsistence, irrigation is done at a small scale and all these factors lead to soil degradation and depletion of water resources.

4.8 Reforms in the Water and Sanitation Sector in Burundi

Under the Reform it is proposed that at national level the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) is in charge of water development both in urban and rural areas. The MEM is responsible for preparing national water policy and defining its broad outlines. The MEM is supported by the National Water and Energy Commission (NWEC) which functions with two offices namely the Water and Sanitation Office and the Electricity Office (EO) The WATSAN Office and the EO are supported by the National Water Service Board (REGIDESO), the Department of Rural Water Development (DGHER) and Rural Energy and Municipal Technical Services (SETEMU).

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KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED WATER AND SANITATION SECTOR REFORMS

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM=Ministere de l’Energie et des Mines) is comprised of two Commissions, Water and Sanitation Office, and the Electricity Office:

The Water and Sanitation Office of MEM in its turn is supported by the National Water Service Board (REGIDESO), the Department of Rural Water Development (DGHER) and Rural Energy and Municipal Technical Services (SETEMU):

The Ministry is given the mandate for Water Development and is responsible for: • Review of water and sanitation policies • Review of the legal framework • Roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders • Sectoral water strategy (Urban and Rural water) • Tariff policy (cost-recovery tariffs) • Inventory of Water and Sanitation database • Annual and long term investment plan • Financing mechanisms (duty, tax) • Public utility water billing • Coordination and consensus-building by the CNEE • Decentralization of sectors • Reorganization/restructuring of Institutions • Professionalizing management (technical/finance) • Planning, monitoring and audits

REGIDESO (Régie de Production et de Distribution de l’Eau et de l’Electricité) • Administrative and financial reorganization/restructuring

e.g. (Financial autonomy and management of personnel) • Decentralization of services • Introduction of cost-recovery tariffs • Monthly billing • Customer care • Human resources development • Reduction of technical and commercial losses • Transfer of small town WSPs to DGHER • Integration of waste water streams to the REGIDESO e.g.

(Connection of industries to the water treatment system) • Efficient communication system • Annual operational planning • Planning, follow-up and evaluation.

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(Abstract from the Report –Workshop Pro-Sec-Eau on Water and Sanitation Sector Reforms, August 2007)

DGHER (Direction Générale de l’Hydraulique et de l’Energie Rurales) • Redefinition of statutes • Restructuring of urban and rural water sector • Decentralization of rural water sector • Definition of tariff policy in rural areas • Development and implementation of standard practices • Updating of data on cover inventory • Planning of investments of the sector • Improvement of coordination of stakeholders

(Harmonization of procedures and approaches) • Strengthening of central and provincial capacity. • Private sector involvement in management of water

systems works • Planning, follow-up and evaluation

SETEMU (Services Techniques Municipaux) • Development of a sewage treatment policy • Reorganization (E.g. Redirecting of waste-water to

REGIDESO) • Strengthening of control standards • Public awareness • Redefining roles in networks and waste • Tariff policy-Sewage treatment tax • Administrative and financial reorganization • Decentralization of services • Strengthening of the communication with clients • Restructuring/reorganization and management

(Autonomous and private management) • Private sector involvement • Coordination of stakeholders

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5 FIELD VISITS TO PROPOSED TOWNS: RUTANA, GITEGA, CANKUZO, MUYINGA AND

NGOZI

5.1 Itinerary

The itinerary from Bujumbura to the secondary towns was as follows: • Tuesday 18/09/07: Bujumbura – Source du Nil – Rutana – Gitega • Wednesday 19/09/07: Gitega – Cankuzo – Muyinga – Ngozi. • Thursday 20/09/07: Ngozi – Bujumbura.

UNDP supported the mission by providing transport, 2 staff of one the Communication and Information Officer who prepared an article about the mission.

5.2 Visit to the Source of the Nile (Rutovu)

The Mission team stopped at the source of the Nile ‘Source du Nil’ in Rutovu. The southernmost headstream of the Nile is in Burundi; the Ruvyironza River is regarded as the true and ultimate source of the Nile. The Ruvyironza is at Mount Kikizi one of the upper branches of the Kagera River, which follows the Rwanda-Tanzania and Uganda-Tanzania borders into Lake Victoria.

The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be Lake Victoria, but the lake itself has feeder Rivers of considerable size like the Kagera River which flows for 690km before reaching Lake Victoria. According to a volunteer caretaker the spring flow has dimished in recent years, maybe due to climate change.

5.3 Rutana Township

Rutana is one of the smallest of the selected towns and has an estimated population of around 8,000 people. It faces, however, a serious challenge from the continuous inflow of returning refugees from Tanzania.

Water supply

The urban centre of Rutana is fed by two sources, one located at Gatare by pumping and the second by gravity from Nyaruganda. The latter source dried up completely during the dry season and the first – according to data collected in 2005 – provides 1.5 l/sec (this equals 130 m3/day, which is barely sufficient to supply 1,500 people with an adequate daily supply!). The lack of piped water is a major handicap for the urban population of Rutana and during the dry season, people have to draw water from surface water sources in the valleys. The drinking water deficit is aggravated by power outages. The total annual production of water in 2003 was 192,807 m3, 106,709 m3 in 2004 and 70,289 m3 in 2005, showing that production is declining at an alarming rate.

The water supply distribution network in the centre of Rutana has a total length of 14.7 km. There are 3 public stand pipes in the town of Rutana and another 2 in its environs. These five public water points are, however, closed due to lack of water. The town of Rutana has 222 household connections. There are 60 requests for new connections, which are on standby.

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The distribution network is run-down and requires rehabilitation. To satisfy the requirements for drinking water urban Rutana and its environs, REGIDESO has prepared two project proposals to develop new identified sources, but these are waiting to be financed. These sources are a spring in the valley of Nyabigozi with a minimum flow of 10 l/sec and a second source in Gatare II with a minimal flow of 5 l/sec. KfW has funded a pre-feasibility study, the results of which are not yet available.

Implementation of these two projects would make it possible to expand the distribution network to meet most of the water demand of the urban population.

Sanitation

There is no sewerage network in Rutana. Sanitation depends on on-site pit latrines and – in a few cases – the use of septic tanks. However, the majority of the households do not even have pit latrines and go to the ‘bush’. According to the Governor of Rutana only about 10% of the households have pit latrines! The newly constructed market place has no water and therefore no adequate sanitation for the public.

Solid Waste Collection

There is no organised form of solid waste collection in Rutana.

Water storage tanks in Rutana

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5.4 Gitega

Gitega is the second biggest town in Burundi, and with an estimated population of approximately 120,000 inhabitants.

Water Supply

The water supply of Gitega township draws water from 8 sources, being 3 boreholes and 5 springs. (See data in the table on the next page).

Gitega – Transmission from boreholes to storage tanks

Gitega – Water storage tank at Mwirango

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THE WATER SOURCES OF GITEGA TOWNSHIP

Characteristics F2 F4 F7 Spring NYAZ

Spring KAZIB

Spring BIROHE SONGA NYAMIBIN

GO TOTAL

Date of commissioning 1988 1988 1988 1988 1985 1954 1977 1957

Depth of borehole (m) 108 82 52

Elevation (m amsl) 1710 1708 1645 1650 1640 1632 1800 1810

Production max. (m3/month) -idem- (m3/hr) -idem- (l/sec)

11,664 16.2

6.256 8.7

22,500 31.5

49,061 68.1

13,622 18.9

11,887 16.5

6,520 9.1

65,916 91.6

187,632 260.6 72.4

Production min. (m3/month) -idem- (m3/hr) -idem- (l/sec)

5,819 8.1

6,023 8.4

20,381 28.3

30,398 42.2

6,615 9.2

12,776 17.7

2,967 4.1

17,394 24.2

102,384 142.2 39.5

STORAGE The storage capacity for urban GITEGA is 1,035 m3, provided by 4 reservoirs, with the following characteristics:

Characteristics Mwirango I Mwirango II Boma I Boma II Mweya TOTAL

Date of commissioning 1975 1988 1954 1954 1985

Capacity (m3) 400 400 100 100 35 1,035

Elevation (m amsl) 1742 1742 1720 1720

State of maintenance v. good v. good poor good poor

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Water Demand of Urban Gitega

The water demand data for urban Gitega have been provided by REGIDESO, and amount to:

o 50 l/sec in 2000 (= 4,320 m3/day) o 72 l/sec in 2005 (= 6,221 m3/day) o 87 l/sec in 2010 (= 7,517 m3/day)

Although it can be observed that the available water sources can meet the present water demand of Gitega, the water resources are, however, susceptible to important seasonal variations; going from 55 l/sec in the rainy season down to 32 l/sec in the dry season, being a drop of more than 40%.

Also, the present production system does not operate optimally. At Birohe and Kazibaziba, several pumps are out of operation, and have not yet been replaced, while the raw water pipeline from Kazibaziba to the Mwirango reservoir is in bad shape and has quite often serious leakages.

It should also be observed that borehole F4 has never been performing very well, despite several attempts to bring it back to optimal production.

KfW is funding a pre-feasibility study and will probably finance upgrading and expansion of the water supply.

Sanitation

There is no sewerage network in Gitega. Sanitation depends to some extent on on-site pit latrines and – in only a few cases – the use of septic tanks. Otherwise the households depend on the ‘bush’ for their their sanitation needs.

A serious health problem is created by the un-protected outflow of sewage from the prison into the valley below.

Solid Waste Collection

There is no organised form of solid waste collection.

5.5 Cankuzo.

The population of Cankuzo is estimated at about 8,000 people. Also in this town there is a continuous inflow of returning refugees who require housing, water and sanitation.

Water Supply

With the socio – political crisis of 1993, most of the infrastructure that had been put in place in Cankuzo Province was destroyed and the rural water supplies almost ceased functioning.

Cankuzo has 1,368 households, with 174 private connections which amounts to a coverage of only 13%. Even these few connections are hardly ever receiving water; at best a few hours per week. It implies that the population is entirely dependent on

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unsafe surface water sources down in the valleys. Water vendors exploit the water shortage and sell at BFR 300 per 20 litre container.

Water is pumped from a source about 12 kms from town. The supply is irregular and unreliable due to breakdowns of pumps, power outages, leakages and very low capacity of the system.

Sanitation

There is no sewerage network in Cankuzo. Sanitation depends to some extent on on-site pit latrines and – in only a few cases – the use of septic tanks. Otherwise the households depend on the ‘bush’ for their their sanitation needs.

At the newly constructed market place in Cankuzo (World Bank funded) public sanitation facilities and public water points have been build but cannot operate due to lack of water.

Solid Waste Collection

There is no organised form of solid waste collection in Cankuzo, but it does not seem to create a serious problem.

5.6 Muyinga

The population of Muyinga amounts to an estimated 20,000 people. Also in this town there is a continuous inflow of returning refugees who require housing, water and sanitation.

Muyinga elevated water storage

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Water Supply.

About 31 % of the (mostly rural) population of Muyinga Commune is served with drinking water. It is deplorable that there is an important section of the population which still has to consume unsuitable water coming from the river.

The urban population is served from a source about 2 kms north of the town centre. Also in Muyinga the supply is irregular and unreliable due to breakdowns of pumps, leakages and very low capacity. There is one small storage tank in town (estimated capacity 120 m3). As a consequence especially during the dry season, most people have to resort to unsafe water collected from streams at the bottom of the valleys.

Sanitation

Muyinga has no sewerage network. Sanitation depends to some extent on on-site pit latrines and – in only a few cases – the use of septic tanks. Otherwise the households depend on the ‘bush’ for their their sanitation needs.

Also in Muyinga a very serious problem was observed at the prison with (total lack of) sanitation.

Solid Waste Collection

There is no organised form of solid waste collection in Muyinga.

5.7 Ngozi.

Ngozi town has an estimated population of 60,000 people.

Water supply.

The intake works for Ngozi water supply were recently rehabilitated and are functioning well. The system is quite interesting, it taps a number of springs, the water runs along an open channel of about 200m to a small treatment facility, from where it is pumped to the town’s elevated tanks at the hospital. The whole system looks well maintained and operated. However, its capacity is very small compared to the demand and a significant expansion is required. Also expansion of the distribution network is required as the town is growing rapidly.

Sanitation

Also Ngozi has no sewerage network. Sanitation depends to some extent on on-site pit latrines and – in only a few cases – the use of septic tanks. Otherwise the households depend on the ‘bush’ for their their sanitation needs. Also in Ngozi raw sewage is spilling from the prison down into the valley where the main water supply intake works are situated.

Solid Waste Collection & Drainage

There is no organised form of solid waste collection in Ngozi. In the low-income area of Kigarama the drainage poses serious problems for the population, because the channels are not protected and erosion is fast progressing.

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Ngozi town water supply

Ngozi water supply – pumping station

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6 MEETING WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

6.1 Meeting with HPM - Sunday 16th September 2007

The team met the HPM to prepare the security briefing at BINUB offices, UNIMT meeting and the field visit.

6.2 UNIMT – UNDP Office, Monday morning 17/09/2007

UNIMT meeting: The team attended a meeting with Heads of UN Agencies and Sections. The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) Robert Goodwin gave a brief summary of the LVWATSAN programme from the start up to the current implementation progress and achievements. Participants appreciated the multi dimension integrated approach of the programme and promised to support the initiative. They requested Mr François Muhirwe UN-HABITAT HPM to present findings and conclusions of the mission in the secondary towns during next meeting scheduled for 01/10/2007.

6.3 BINUB Security briefing, Monday morning 17th /09/07.

Due to the insecurity in the country in particular rural Bujumbura area which surrounds the capital of Bujumbura, the team had to attend a security briefing information session at BINUB headquarters offices. This is a recommendation for all UN staff and international staff traveling upcountry.

6.4 Meeting with Government Representatives (Monday afternoon 17/09/07).

LVWATSAN team met with the Minister of Environment, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister of Internal Security and the PS of the Ministry of Urban and Public Works.

• The Minister of Energy and Mines, in charge of water supply, appealed to UN-HABITAT team to consider the ongoing sector reform which is still in its preliminary stages.

• He recommended and organized a meeting with GTZ/KfW which is facilitating and spearheading Burundi Water and Sanitation Sector Reform process.

• He also requested the team to consult the partners’ matrix to get information about other partners’ programmes; who, where, what and when.

• The ministers reminded the team of the request from the Vice Presidents to consider 5 instead of 3 pilot secondary towns.

• Ministers also expressed the need to have a similar initiative for secondary towns located in the Congo Basin in particular along Lake Tanganyika which is very much polluted. Lake Tanganyika is the main source of water supply to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.

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6.5 UNDP Country Representative Mr. Antonius Broek

The UN-HABITAT team met with UNDP Resident Representative on Monday 17th before going to the field and met again for debriefing after returning from the field visit on Thursday 19th September. Briefly these are his comments:

• He assured the team of UNDP’s general commitment to support the programme.

• Mr. Broek insisted on establishing collaboration with other UN agencies working already in the secondary towns in particular those working in the water and sanitation sector such as UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, GTZ, and Nile Basin Initiative. All

• Selection process of secondary towns should be explained clearly to the public in order to assure them that the selection is not politically motivated; (the reason, criteria and priorities to justify the selection).

• The LVWATSAN Programme should be a means of reconciliation, promotion of dialogue and lasting peace & security between the different sections of the Burundian populations.

• Finally, the CR highlighted the need to pay more attention to vulnerable groups and make sure that they will also benefit from the programme.

6.6 Meeting with the Executive Secretary of the “International Conference on the Great Lakes Region” Ambassador Liberata Mulamula (Thursday 20 Sep 2007)

The Executive Secretary welcomed the mission and gave an update of the current status of the organization. Below is the summary of the issues discussed during the meeting.

• Member countries of the ICGLR: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

• Objective of the ICGLR To bring countries of the region together to dialogue and agree on a strategy to bring peace and prosperity.

• Priority areas = Peace and security, = Democracy and Good Governance = Economic Development and Regional Integration = Humanitarian and Social Issues

• Challenges a) In order to promote the pact the secretariat need funds; the ES is working hard

to mobilize resources. b) Countries committed to fund the secretariat so far only 6 countries has fully

contributed; the other 5 are yet to meet their obligations. c) Ratification of the pact; Countries are supposed to legally endorse the Pact on

Security, Stability and Development in the great Lakes Region. Only Rwanda

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and Burundi have ratified the pact. Tanzania and Kenya are in the process of endorsing the pact.

d) Due to delay of member countries in meeting their fund obligations and the slow pact ratification it is very difficult for the secretariat to keep up the momentum and sustain the process as it enjoyed during the preparatory phase.

e) The secretariat has finalized a proposal for a regional programme of action for humanitarian and social issues. The programme intends to undertake a comprehensive environmental assessment on the impact of refugees and internally displaced people; on ecosystem and human settlements integrity and provide early warning information to support mitigation planning and strategic approaches and actions for environmental management in situations of populations’ displacement and encampment. Programme implementation will be a major challenge due to lack of availability of funds.

• LVWATSAN The UN-HABITAT team briefed the ES about the objective of the programme and the aim of the field mission. The Executive Secretary concluded the meeting by expressing the commitment of the ICGLR secretariat to continue working with UN agencies to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity in the region and pledged support to the LVWATSAN programme.

6.7 Meeting with GTZ/KWF Friday 21/09/07

The Mission met with Ms Fink Helga Chief Head of Water and Sanitation at GTZ and her colleague Mr. Isidore Nzobambona. Briefly the following issues were discussed:

• GTZ is the focal institution assisting the Government of Burundi to prepare and

formulate the water and sanitation sector reform. • GTZ is also implementing a major water and sanitation programme funded by

KfW in Rutana, Gitega, and Cankuzo. • It was suggested that UN-HABITAT will work in close collaboration with GTZ to

support the ongoing water and sanitation sector reform. • GTZ staff in particular Ms. Helga seemed not really to know much about UN-

HABITAT, thus the mission informed GZT/Ms Helga UN-HABITAT mandate and responsibility to meet MDG 10 to halve the percentage of world population without access to clean water and proper sanitation. The information was very timely since after this brief information the discussion with GZT become more cordial.

• The mission invited Ms Helga to visit UN-HABITAT in particular the LVWATSAN team to learn and understand better the work of the WSI Branch.

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7 CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND WAY FORWARD

7.1 Conclusions and Recommendations

7.1.1 Water Supplies

The water supply systems in the 5 towns visited are all highly inadequate to meet the demand of the rapidly increasing population. While in two towns, Gitega and Ngozi, the pumping systems were found to be well maintained, their capacity is far below what is needed.

The mission was informed that a significant upgrade of the Gitega water supply is envisaged under the GTZ support programme to the country.

For all the other towns a significant upgrade of the water supply system, including expansion of the distribution network, will need to be designed.

7.1.2 Sanitation

None of the towns has a centralized sewage disposal system. Even on-site pit latrines are only available at a limited number of households. For the smaller towns, Rutana, Muyinga and Cankuzo this seems to be not a great problem as these are still very open-spaced and sufficient room is left for on-site sanitation. A programme to promote safe and hygienic sanitation needs be developed and implemented, such as UN-HABITAT is currently implementing in the LVWATSAN programme.

For the central parts of two bigger towns (Gitega and Ngozi) the sewage disposal problem needs to be addressed. A shallow, small-bore sewerage system can be designed, which is relatively low-cost but very effective for small towns. The sewage would be treated in a lagoon system, which requires little or no energy consumption.

Proper provisions for the prisons’ waste water disposal needs to be included.

7.1.3 Solid Waste

In general the situation with regards to solid waste is not alarming. However, in some of the low-income areas of the bigger towns, waste disposal is already becoming problematic. Therefore, it is recommended that a start be made with organised garbage collection in the bigger towns.

7.1.4 Institutional Capacity

As described earlier in this report, the water sector reform is only just now making a start. Significant inputs are provided under the German support programme of KfW-GTZ, but additional inputs might be provided under the UN-HABITAT programme. This could be capacity building training programme for the water service providers, both at management and operational level, such as LVWATSAN is currently providing in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

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7.2 Way Forward 1. Further discussions with the GOB officials to define scope and size of interventions;

2. Draft a Memorandum of Understanding between UN-HABITAT and the Government of Burundi, outlining the support to selected secondary towns in Burundi in achieving the water and sanitation related Millennium Development Goals.

3. Involvement of the local community in each town, by initiating a Multi-stakeholder

forum to discuss in detail the proposed interventions and generate feedback from the local people.

4. Detailed assessment of required interventions, in physical infrastructure,

environmental protection, capacity building, community participation, etc

5. Preliminary design studies of the required interventions in all towns;

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ANNEX 1 - MISSION PROGRAMME

Date Activités Personnes à rencontrer et lieu

Dimanche 16/09/2007 08H20

Accueil de RG et AM

Formalités d’usage à l’aéroport

Autorités administratives Aéroport

09H Installation à l’Hôtel Club du Lac TANGANIKA

Briefing de la mission (Temps libre)

HPM

Lundi 17/09/2007

08H30- 09 H30 UNIMT : Briefing de la mission UNIMT

10H00-11H00 Briefing Sécurité au BINUB Officier en charge

11H00-12H00 Séance de travail HPM

12H00-14H00 Temps libre -

14H30-15H45 Séance de travail au cabinet du Ministère de l’Environnement

Ministre et autres représentants du Gouvernement y compris les experts dans le domaine

16H-17H 00 Rencontre avec les partenaires du développement

Partenaires invités ; salle de conférence du Bureau du PNUD (rdc).

17H- 18H00 Bilan de journée et finalisation du programme des visites

Au Bureau du PNUD avec le Chef de Cabinet TPE, HPM, Bureau du CR et autres à préciser

18H : Temps libre

Mardi 18/09/2007 08H40- Accueil de PVD

Formalités d’usage à l’aéroport

Transfert vers la Cellule de Sécurité, Avenue du Large

Moïse KAGAYO, Chauffeur

09H30-1730 Départ de BUJA et voyage pour la visite des villes de Rutovu, Rutana à Gitega

Autorités administratives et techniciens de Rutovu, Rutana et Gitega .

17H30 Installation à l’hôtel TAMOTEL

Evaluation de la journée ;

Temps libre

Membres de la mission

Mercredi 19/09/2007 07H30-9H30 Visite de la ville de Gitega et séance de

travail Autorités administratives et techniciens de Gitega et des ménages des quartiers populaires

09H30 –16H15 Départ pour le voyage et visite des villes de Cankuzo et Muyinga

Autorités administratives et techniciens de Gitega et des ménages des quartiers populaires

16H30 Départ pour Ngozi

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Date Activités Personnes à rencontrer et lieu

17H30 Arrivée et hébergement (Hôtel à confirmer) ; évaluation de la journée et temps libre

Membres de la mission

Jeudi 20/09/2007 07H30- 10H00 Visite de la ville de Ngozi et séance de

travail Autorités administratives et techniciens de Ngozi et des ménages des quartiers populaires

10H15-13H00 Voyage vers Bujumbura 13H-16H00 Installation à l’hôtel et temps libre Membres de la mission

16h-17H Séance de travail Membres de la mission n

17H-17H456 Séance de debriefing Direction du PNUD

18H00 Temps libre -

Vendredi 21/09/2007 09H30 Arrivée à l’aéroport de Bujumbura pour

prendre l’avion vers Nairobi

Formalités d’usage pour le départ

Fin de la mission,

Autorités de l’aéroport

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ANNEX 2 - REFERENCES CAP 2006, Burundi basic statistics and demographics, p.3 CAP 2006, Burundi basic statistics and demographics, p.3 OCHA Study on internally displaced populations in Burundi, July 2005 Ministere de l’Energie et des Mines, Atelier de Reflexion (Aôut, 2007) – Reforme du Secteur Eau et Assainissement, Rapport, (Pro-Sec-Eau, GTZ-KfW) Sinarinzi, Evariste (2005) ‘Burundi: Etude de base sur l’etat actuel du processus de formulation de la politique de l’eau et evaluation des besoins pour son amelioration et sa mise en oeuvre’, Final, June. Bujumbura.

Nile Basin Initiative, Water Resources Planning and Management Project, (December 2006) - Baseline and Needs Assessment of National Policies of the Nile Basin Countries – A Regional Synthesis, Water Policy Component. Ministère de l'Aménagement du Territoire, du Tourisme et de l'Environnement Atelier De Lancement Officiel Des Activites Du Projet « Plan D’action National D’adaptation (Pana) Aux Changements Climatiques». Bujumbura, le 28 septembre 2005 WHO / UNICEF - Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation - Coverage Estimates for Improved Sanitation, updated in June 2006, Burundi. Ministère de la Planification du Developpement et de la Reconstruction Nationale Programme d’Appui à la Gouvernance (UNDP) - 2007

- Monographies Provinciales et Communale Cankuzo - Monographies Provinciales et Communale Rutana - Monographies Provinciales et Communale Gitega - Monographies Provinciales et Communale Muyinga - Monographies Provinciales et Communale Ngozi

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ANNEX 3 – ABSTRACT FROM: BASELINE AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL POLICIES OF THE NILE BASIN COUNTRIES – A Regional Synthesis. Nile Basin Initiative, December 2006.

BURUNDI

A. Key Institutions in the Water Sector

Key Institutions involved in the water sector Institutional issues identified

• Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire et de l’Environnement et du Tourisme

• Ministère de l’Energie et des Mines

• Ministère du Développement Communal et de l’Artisanat

• Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie

• Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Elevage

• Ministère de la Santé Publique

• Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité Publique

• Ministère des Transports, Postes et Télécommunications

• Ministère des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération

• Geographical Institute of Burundi; publicly-owned, this covers a number of areas including hydrology and meteorology; it is the national focal point for Nile basin cooperation

• Overlapping responsibilities and capacities

• Lack of qualified personnel, basic financing and equipment

• Lack of technical knowledge at higher levels

• Scattered information and data on the sector

• Competition between departments and overlapping control and regulatory responsibility

• Little inter-sectoral collaboration

• Ineffective policy implementation

• Better coordination required vertically and horizontally

• Decree to put into place the structure to coordinate National Water Policy implementation has yet to be updated, thus hindering implementation; there is no-one to take the initiative on implementation of the NWPIf an institutional structure were in place, the anticipated budget for implementation of US$ 9.1 million over 10 years still beyond current capacity

• Insufficient consultation among partners in the sector

• Election periods distract decision makers’ attention

• Confusion between management and resource exploitation roles generates ‘competence conflict’

• In formulating the NWP, some partners have not been involved (NGOs, private sector, donors)

• Recognition that the policy is not “once-and-for all” and must be dynamic and inclusive

• NWP has never been presented to Parliament to be accorded legal status.

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B. Policy Formulation Process

Policy Formulation

• National Water Master Plan (PDNE) initiated in 1993

• In 1999 FAO supports government to set up multi-sectoral working group on water resources management policy (NWP)

• National Policy and Strategic Action Plan for the Water Sector completed in 2001; Action Plan indicates objectives, actions, performance indicators, institutional responsibilities, budgets and implementation calendar

• Implementation to extend from 2001 to 2010; Ministry of Land Management and Environment overall coordinator; Geographical Institute of Burundi technical coordinator

• Relatively low implementation to date due to confusion over articles in the text

• Key need for better vertical coordination within the sector and greater horizontal coordination with other sectors

• Council of Ministers reinforcing coordination role of the Geographical Institute

• The Environment Code in 2000 provides the basis for environmental management

• The NWP, adopted in September 2000, describes main directions and strategies for water resource development

• Formation process described as ‘considerably inclusive’ because 11 national institutions involved at a senior level

• Action Plan anticipates participation by public sector and local communities through communal administration, but involvement described as ‘very weak’ by private sector, NGOs and donors

• Decree to put into place the structure to coordinate NWP implementation yet to be updated thus hindering implementation; as a result, no-one to take the initiative on NWP implementation

• Anticipated budget for implementation of US$ 9.1 million over10 years beyond current government capacity

• Insufficient consultation among different partners in the sector

• Election periods distract decision makers’ attention

• There is confusion between the role of management and resource exploitation, which generates a ‘competence conflict’ Recognised that the policy is not “once-and-for all” and must be dynamic and inclusive

• The NWP (National water policy) has never been presented to Parliament to be accorded a legal status

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C. Water Sector Policy Documentation

Key current policy documents Status

• Decree November 26, 1992

• National Water Resource Management Policy

• National Water Master Plan (Le Plan Directeur National de l’Eau (PDNE))

• Bilateral and multilateral accords (including between Belgium and the UK, dated 1934) on water allocations and the frontier on Lake Tanganyika)

• Convention on the sustainable management of Lake Tanganyika

• Legal Order of 26th November 1992 basic legislation for Burundi’s water sector

• Environmental Code of Burundi (2000)

• Kagera River Basin organisation

• Ramsar Convention ratified by Burundi in 1997

• The National Water Policy (1992) has not been put into operation because of lack of an executing decree

• The National Water Master Plan remains inoperative

D. Water Policy Content and Gap Analysis

Key policy content Observed gaps (by national consultant)

• The NWP adopted in September 2001 describes main directions and strategies for water resource development in different socio-economic sectors of the country; it covers the following broad areas:

i) access to drinking water; ii) rural access to hydro-electric

energy; iii) increased rational use of water

resources to satisfy population needs including agricultural and pastoral production; sustainable protection of the resource;

iv) improvement in mechanisms of coordination and ways to support management capacity in the sector of water

• Policy described as ‘well presented’ by international norms

• Policy on trans-boundary management highly summarized; there is a need to expand on the following: diversion and utilization of water resources; revision of existing accords and treaties related to international waters; protection of the environment surrounding the upstream basin; preservation of water quality for use downstream; questions on water sale; plans for data management and information communication including available decision support systems; an adequate framework of cooperation acceptable to all; cooperation principles in case of national disasters, inter-state conflicts, etc

• The NWP does not handle issues concerned with water rights in water resources management; water rights are covered under the 26 November 1992 Decree related to institutions and organizations in the public domain; this document covers issues of regulation, protection, transfer and access to water, but the Decree is inoperative due to the lack of a text of application

• Neither the Law nor NWP are widely publicly known

• Mechanisms to evaluate and revise the policy on water have not been considered

• Human resource needs have not been sufficiently examined under the sector evaluation

• Cost of implementation estimates have not been assessed

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E. Implementation Process

Implementation process Issues arising

• With FAO assistance in 1999 the Government set up a multi-sectoral working group for the elaboration of a water resources management policy in Burundi (NWP)

• For water policy implementation a strategic Action Plan has been adopted which indicates specific objectives to achieve, actions to undertake, performance indicators to use, levels of responsibility of concerned national institutions, estimated budgets, as well as an activity implementation calendar

• Implementation is between 2001 and 2010

• The Ministry of Land Management and Environment has been appointed to coordinate the water policy with the Geographical Institute of Burundi as technical coordinator

• The Action Plan anticipates participation of the public sector (ministries) and local communities represented by the communal administration, but is silent on private sector and civil society roles

• The Decree necessary to set up the coordinating institutional structure for implementation has never been updated, which is a principal hindrance to implementation

• The costs of implementation are considerable, some US$ 9.1 million over a period of 10 years

• There is a lack of public awareness of the policy

• There is no mechanism for the evaluation and revision of policy

• A lack of political stability characterized by sudden change in governments has affected implementation

• Confusion between the roles of management and exploitation of water resources generates competence conflict over resource management