UN, government and partners discuss projectization of funds allocated by PBF to Burundi

5 Mar 2014

UN, government and partners discuss projectization of funds allocated by PBF to Burundi

5 March 2014 – Representatives of Burundian government, civil society, United Nations and partners today started a two-day meeting in Bujumbura aimed to exchange about projects to be funded through the $11,6m allocation recently granted to Burundi by the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

The allocation is granted under the third Peacebuilding Priority Plan between Burundi and PBF which spanned from 2014 to 2016. Four priority areas will be covered by the plan, namely national dialogue; youth participation in political life and reconciliation; human rights; and pacific settlement of land conflicts.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, the UN Office in Burundi (BNUB) Chief of staff, Jose Maria Aranaz, reminded the “solid partnership” between PBF and Burundi. On the new plan, he said that it was a response of the United Nations and partners to the need to “consolidate [Burundi] progresses towards a sustainable peace”.

The Peacebuilding Priority Plan 2014-2016 was signed in December 2013 between Burundi External Relations and International Cooperation minister Laurent Kavakure and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.

With this new funding, Peacebuilding Fund assistance to Burundi amounts $61m. In 2007, months after Burundi was placed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), a first tranche of $40 was granted for the funding of 18 projects related to governance and peace; security sector reform; justice and land issues.

In 2011, the PBF contributed with another allocation of $9,2m, under a new priority plan meant to support vulnerable population.