Context:

Burundi is experiencing a major return movement of its refugee nationals to neighbouring countries. These repatriations, although voluntary, are accompanied by numerous challenges linked to reintegration in the communities of origin: limited access to basic services, food insecurity, lack of economic opportunities, and weakened social protection structures.
Returnees, who are often vulnerable, face precarious living conditions, increased risks of violence, particularly gender-based violence, and inadequate access to mental health care. In this context, a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach is essential to guarantee a dignified and sustainable return, promote community stability and strengthen the resilience of individuals and families.

With this in mind, WeWorld-GVC and its partners have developed an integrated response, in close collaboration with the Burundian authorities, to effectively support the reintegration process in the main areas of return.

Project objectives :

The general objective of the project is to promote the sustainable reintegration of Burundian returnees in their areas of return. Within the framework of this project, WeWorld-GVC's interventions have the following specific objectives:

  • To strengthen the protection of returnees to Burundi, including women and children in the target communes.
  • To strengthen the resilience of returnees and host communities in Burundi and the process of reintegration into the target community.

Main activities:

WeWorld-GVC has two main activities:

Resilience

  • Establishment of hill nurseries and farmer field schools (FFS)
  • Technical training for FFS members and nurserymen on climate-resilient production
  • Community education campaign on sustainable environmental management that is resilient to climate change
  • Support for the networking of FFS and VSLA members around promising value chains
  • Organisation of community solidarity activities by VSLA nurseries and FFS

Mental health

  • Strengthening the capacity of health facilities to deal with mental health cases
  • Training CHWs in mental health as a means of raising community awareness
  • Raising community awareness of mental health and the services available to deal with it

Expected results

  • Access to protection and legal assistance services for returnees and the host community has been promoted and increased.
  • The livelihoods of returnees and vulnerable host communities have been developed through the promotion of entrepreneurial skills and sustainable, green and climate-resilient agricultural solutions.