Since September 2017, UNHCR with the collaboration of Burundi government and the regional governments and partners, have assisted and facilitated the voluntary return of refugees to Burundi. From September 2017 to 31 December 2020, 120,494 Burundian refugees were assisted to return home safely by UNHCR. In 2020, 40,774 Burundian refugees were assisted to return from Tanzania (30,636), Rwanda (7,896), the DRC (1,946), Uganda (231) Kenya (60) and Zambia (5). Following the relatively calm Burundian presidential elections of June 2020, more Burundian refugees are making their way back to their home country – not only from Tanzania but from a range of countries in the region. The 2020 population planning figures for returnees was projected at 110,000 with an objective to facilitate the return of 50,000 Burundian refugees from Tanzania and other countries in the region. The 2020 results represent 81.5% of the planning figures and therefore the operation objective was achieved and all those registered for the return benefited from the facilitation.
On 16 March 2020, the Government of Burundi enacted COVID-19 preventive measures at all country border and entry points. From 22 March 2020 all borders were closed, with a formal ban on access to territory. Voluntary repatriation operations were temporary suspended from the 18th of May until end of June 2020, in the context of the Burundi elections and the COVID-19 mitigation measures. By June 2020, joint mission assessments were conducted by UNHCR, the Ministry of Health and operational partners at the Burundian transit centres, in order to prepare and meet the requirements for COVID-19 prevention measures, including upgrading infrastructure, screening, testing and individual case management in terms of immediate medical or other assistance upon return. By the end of 2020 all operational transit centres (Kajaga, Gitara, Kinazi, Nyabitare and Songore) were upgraded and in capacity to receive and provide adequate support in line with humanitarian standards.
UNHCR also partnered with the Government of Burundi to decentralize the COVID-19 testing and response. All Burundian returnees undergo COVID-19 testing using CPR GenExpert technology. Those who test positive are transferred to the designated national hospital for treatment and follow-up, while those who test negative are transported to their return location. From 16 July 2020, UNHCR in collaboration with the Ministry of Health was able to conduct rapid tests to all returnees at the transit centres and out of 28,644 tested, 63 cases tested positive and were treated accordingly.
At the transit centres, the assistance provided to returnees included accommodation in the transit centres for up to 3 nights, where returnees undertook daily medical screening, verification, biometric registration, and provision of assistance including return package and return certificate. In addition, hot meals and potable water were provided to all returnees during the stay at the transit centres. The Tripartite agreement between the Government of Tanzania and Government of Burundi (November 2019) also endorsed the use of cash assistance to assist returnees. Therefore, from 2017 to September 2020 only $70/adult, $40/child grant was provided to all returnees plus the return, food and NFI package and since October 2020, the Government appealed to UNHCR to revise the amount by increasing to $150 per adult and $75 per child. The cash assistance modality also changed in 2020 to provide cash assistance via mobile money via partnership with a Financial Service Provider (Lumitel) in Burundi. Specific assistance is also provided to persons with special needs at the transit centres and respective referral mechanisms are in place with the support of implementation partners to assist the safe return of returnees up to their final destinations.