UN withdraws staff from Burundi capital, continues relief work through partners

Citing security concerns, the United Nations has withdrawn its nonessential staff from Bujumbura after days of deadly clashes between Government forces and rebels in Burundi's capital have left scores of people dead and displaced thousands.

But according to a UN spokesman in New York, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and around Bujumbura will continue to receive food and other assistance provided by the UN through its implementing partners.

After careful consideration of the security situation, the UN yesterday allowed for the relocation outside Burundi of all international staff not directly concerned with emergency or humanitarian relief operations or security matters.

Sunil Saigal, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Burundi, said that while the decision reflects the very serious events of last week, an improved security situation would bode well for future revisions.

The Palipehutu-Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL-Rwasa) rebel faction launched an offensive on Bujumbura on 7 July, when clashes with the Armed Forces of Burundi (FAB) erupted in the city's southern neighbourhoods. Within days, amid mortar fire and fierce shelling, the bloody fighting had moved into densely populated areas within the city, leaving scores of people dead.

While the fighting is believed to have killed over 100 civilians, injured as many as 1,000 and displaced some 15,000 people from their homes, Mr. Saigal said last week that no accurate figure existed for the total number of injuries or deaths.