Burundi's History
Burundi, a country with one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world, is recovering from years of civil war. The country’s first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. During the conflict, 17% of the population became refugees or internally displaced persons. Now over 700,000 of these refugees are returning to a country that is unequipped to meet their extreme health, social and economic needs.

Kayanza, a province in Northern Burundi, is surrounded by forests that ensure good rainfall, but was also the rebel troops’ stronghold during the civil war and is one the most affected areas. Schools and clinics were destroyed, and the social fabric of communities was torn apart by tribalism and violence.

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Unfortunately, soil degradation has resulted in almost no agricultural production, and communities suffer from food insecurity. Yet even in this poor post-conflict context, the community is dedicated to sustainable development and peace building.

FH In Burundi
FH Canada is just beginning activities in Burundi which are built on the strength of having successfully implemented similar programs in neighbouring Rwanda. We are integrating a community development program with the Child Development Program (CDP) in order to best empower the community to build a brighter future for its children. Beginning our efforts focusing on agriculture, food security, and medical supply distribution, FH Burundi has now expanded to work in the areas of child development, health programming, economic development, and refugee and returnee resettlement.

The programs in Kayanza will focus especially on providing education resources for children and promoting reconciliation and capacity building programs for adults. Agriculture and economic needs will be addressed through local resource development and training. Health services are already being improved through FH Canada's International Medical Equipment Distribution (IMED) Program, which is equipping local clinics. All projects are working towards the goal of sound sustainability.

What We Do

• Agriculture & Environment: Disease-resistant cassava multiplication, agricultural trainings, and a food-for-work program.
• Emergency Relief: Emergency food distributions.
• Child Development & Education: Education support program, child rights, medical care, school infrastructure support, parent trainings, social clubs and biblical trainings.

• Economic Development & Livelihoods: Animal distributions, husbandry trainings and coffee washing cooperative development.
• Health & Nutrition: Health clinic nutritional support and public health trainings.
• Infrastructure: Medical supply distribution and school construction.

Quick Facts (from IRIN, CIA, The World Factbook, UNHCR, UNICEF)

• Burundi is seeking peace following fourteen years of civil war.
• Burundi is one of the ten poorest nations in the world and is the fourth least developed in terms of social welfare.
• "Burundi's children continue to be threatened by rape, child prostitution, child labor, recruitment into militias, internal displacement, kidnapping and landmines" -UNICEF
• Hundreds of thousands of Burundians are resettling in Burundi after living for decades as refugees in surrounding countries.
• Burundi is known for their gifted drummers and inspired musicianship.