Latest news with #Bujumbura
Al Jazeera
15 hours ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Photos: People in Burundi struggle amid Lake Tanganyika's endless flooding
Asha, a mother-of-four, found herself once again donning rubber boots inside her living room – the recurring cost of residing near Lake Tanganyika in Burundi, where climate change and relentless flooding have become a part of daily life. The graceful architecture of Gatumba – a town bordering the capital, Bujumbura – serves as a testament to its past prosperity. Yet for many, that memory feels remote. Increasingly, residents resort to pitching tents atop their roofs, as children drift between homes on makeshift rafts fashioned from plastic bottles. 'We've been underwater for years,' said Asha, aged 32. Lake Tanganyika is known for its cyclical fluctuations in water level, but these have been worsened by global warming, according to Bernard Sindayihebura, an urban planning and environment specialist at the University of Burundi. He explained that surface temperatures on Africa's second-largest lake have climbed steadily, leading to heavier rainfall and pushing the lake above its historical average since 2018. With the lake swollen, the Ruzizi River is unable to drain into it, resulting in persistent floods that inundate surrounding areas like Gatumba on the northern shore. The situation escalated in 2023, when Asha and her family were forced to flee a particularly severe flood. With water rising as high as her waist, she had to seek shelter in temporary accommodation nearby. The following year, and again this year, they were displaced repeatedly, as floodwaters engulfed entire neighbourhoods. Burundi ranks among the world's poorest nations, standing 187th out of 193 on the United Nations Human Development Index. The UN also lists it as one of the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change. In 2024, pounding rains, magnified by the El Nino phenomenon, displaced nearly 100,000 people and claimed numerous lives, although no official figures have been released. Ariella, a mother of seven now residing in the Gateri camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in northern Burundi, spoke of losing everything in the 2020 Gatumba floods. Her house collapsed, and one of her babies was almost swept away by the floodwaters. The family moved between two different camps, only to be hit by floods again. 'We often wonder what our future will look like,' said Ariella. In Gatumba, community leader Jean-Marie Niyonkuru, 42, said residents are doing their best to cope, but conditions remain dire. 'Children suffer from diarrhoea because the water has mixed with toilet water, flooding the streets,' he said. 'There is a lot of cholera.' Save the Children is now appealing for assistance, but critical funding has dried up. Under President Donald Trump, 83 percent of United States humanitarian projects have been suspended, with climate-related programmes among those most at risk. The US previously provided 40 percent of global aid, and no other country has bridged the gap.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Ibizira n'ibikorwa mu kubika no gushusha infungurwa
Gushusha ibifungurwa bishobora kugira ingaruka ku mamagara. Gukururikira izi nama bishoboira kugufasha kugabanya ivyago vyp gufatwa n'ingara ziturutse ku bifungurwa Ng'uku uko ushobora kwirinda: Ico gukora Ntugumize infungurwa zawe hanze Ntugumize infugnurwa zawe zikanye umwanya munini hanze ya firigo, nturenze amasaha abiri. Iyo ari umuceri hoho ntiukwiye kurenza isaha imwe, kubera umugera witwa bacillus cereus spores urwira. Ntushuhuruze umuceri watumyeko (waguze) hanze uhiye Burya umuceri watumyeko hanze uba wabanje gushushwa kuko bene urudandazwa baba babanje kuwuteka uri ngaho urindiriye abakiriya, bagaheza bakawushusha imbere yo kuwugurisha, bisobanura ko gusubiramwo kuwushusha irya kabiri bitera vya vyago vyo kwanduriramwo imigera yihisha mu bifungurwa. Ni vyiza kuwufungura ubwo nyene ukigushikira. Ntugumize infungurwa zitetse igihe kinini muri firigo Gerageza ivyo waraje, ibinfugure bukeye, nturenze hagati y'amasaha 24 -48 , canke ubishire mu kibanza gikonje cane bicike ibarafu (muri freezer/ congelateur) mu gihe ata mugambi ufise wo kubifungura vuba. Ntukuremwo ibarafu mu nkoko wabitse, ukoresheje amazi asusurutse Ibi bishobora gutuma impande zose zitaviramwo ibarafu icarimwe, aho usanga ibice bimwe vy' inyama yawe bigera aho bishobora guterwa n'imigera mu gihe ibindi navyo bitaba biravamwo ibifarafu neza. Ivyizza ni ukubanza ugakagabanya ubukonje bw'inyama yawe mu kuyikuramwo ibarafu, kandi mu guteka uyihishe neza. Campylobacter bacteria ni umugera ubineka mu nkoko ukunze gutera ibibazo mumushshito( igifu) harimwo kudahwa, mbere ushobora no gutuma umutnu aja mu bitaro. Don't reheat takeaway rice Takeaway rice is often pre-cooked and reheated by food businesses before it's sold, making it risky to reheat yet again. It's best eaten shortly after purchase or delivery. Don't keep home-cooked food in the fridge for too long Consume leftovers within 24-48 hours or freeze them if you don't plan to eat them soon. Don't defrost chicken with warm water This can lead to uneven thawing, where parts of the meat enter the 'danger zone' before being fully defrosted. Always defrost chicken in the fridge and cook it thoroughly. Campylobacter bacteria in poultry can lead to severe stomach issues, vomiting, and even hospitalisation. What you should do Always store food in the fridge before reheating it. Research shows that keeping food refrigerated (at 5°C or below) limits the growth of harmful pathogens. Cool your food before putting it in the fridge Putting hot food straight in to the fridge can push your fridge's temperature up, compromising other foods and allowing bacteria to grow. Ideally, let your food cool at room temperature and refrigerate it as soon as it's cooled. In warmer climates, the less time food spends outside, the safer it will be. Understand the 'danger zone' Between 8°C and 63°C, bacteria can multiply rapidly. Keeping your fridge below 5°C helps prevent food poisoning, while freezing food at -18°C pauses bacterial activity. However, bacteria are not killed during freezing - they can revive once food defrosts. Put cooled food in the freezer to defrost later You can freeze food up until its use-by date, including products like bread, which defrosts well and lasts longer in the freezer. Defrost frozen food fully before reheating Defrost food in the fridge for up to 24 hours, depending on the item. Larger items like a whole chicken will take longer, while smaller portions defrost faster. Some foods can be defrosted in the microwave, but it's best to follow manufacturer instructions. Defrosting in the fridge ensures food stays out of the 'danger zone.' Make sure food is fully thawed before cooking Partially defrosted food may cook unevenly, allowing harmful bacteria to survive. Reheat and consume any leftover rice within 24 hours Rice can contain bacillus cereus spores that survive cooking. Cooling and refrigerating rice promptly reduces the risk, but reheating should only be done once. Freezing cooked rice can pause spore growth. Be extra careful when reheating food for vulnerable people People with weakened immune systems, underlying conditions, pregnant women, young children, and older adults are at higher risk of foodborne illnesses. Reheat food until it's steaming hot throughout If defrosting food in the microwave, stir it halfway through to ensure even heating.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Safeguarding the health of mothers and newborns in Burundi
Burundi had never seen anything like it before: on a Saturday in December 2022, 35-year-old Johari gave birth to six babies. She had been transferred from the southern town of Rumonge to the Kamenge Military Hospital in Bujumbura for specialized care. 'Everyone was astonished that day; it was unbelievable,' she recalled. 'But I was the most amazed of all, seeing all my babies born alive. I thanked God for keeping me alive through it all.' In recent years, Burundi has made steady progress towards improving maternal and child health. The percentage of pregnant women seeking antenatal care rose from 35.9% to 41.7% between 2021 and 2023. This improvement is due, in part, to increased awareness of the importance of antenatal consultations and skilled birth attendance. World Health Organization (WHO) also supported the development of a self-care guide to help communities recognize danger signs, understand when to seek medical care, and know how to respond in the event of an emergency. Further progress has been made to reduce maternal mortality. The number of women who lost their lives due to pregnancy-related complications fell from 334 to 299 per 100 000 live births between 2017 and 2023. As part of its ongoing support to the government, particularly in the area of maternal and newborn health, WHO has also helped to upskill health personnel, provided essential supplies and equipment, and supported the development of key strategic documents. 'Interventions such as upgrading provider skills and supplying equipment have had a clear impact on the quality of care for mothers, pregnant women and children,' says Dr Ananie Ndacayisaba, Director of the National Reproductive Health Programme at Burundi's Ministry of Public Health and AIDS Control. 'We are seeing a real difference on the ground.' Kamenge Military Hospital is one of the facilities that has directly benefited from this support. In 2023, WHO supplied the hospital with neonatal resuscitation kits, electric suction devices, incubators, children's beds and mattresses, resuscitation beds, and a modern hybrid incinerator. This equipment was distributed across the neonatology, intensive care and gynaecology departments. The incinerator has also significantly improved the hospital's medical waste management, contributing to greater patient safety. In the neonatology department, unit head Dr Félicien Bivahagumye was part of the medical team that safely delivered Johari's sextuplets. He expresses his gratitude for the new equipment, which he says has transformed care: 'Between October 2024 and April 2025, we were able to successfully treat over 1200 newborns suffering from various birth complications.' To further strengthen his expertise, Bivahagumye and a nurse from his team were awarded a one-month WHO-funded scholarship, supported by Japan. The training focused on the organization of neonatal care and the resuscitation of newborns, with a particular emphasis on non-invasive ventilation techniques. 'We learned a great deal that will enable us to better manage the challenges we face. While difficulties remain, we are now equipped to care for very premature babies,' he notes. In normal circumstances, babies are born at term, between 37 and 42 weeks. Premature births are classified based on gestational age: extremely preterm (before 28 weeks), very preterm (28 to 32 weeks), and moderately preterm (32 to 37 weeks). Philomène, a 35-year-old mother of six, was also referred to Kamenge Military Hospital after giving birth to a premature baby at just 31 weeks. Her newborn weighed only 1.2 kilograms. 'When we arrived at the hospital, I had no hope my son would survive,' she recalls. 'But I was warmly received, and the doctors took exceptional care of him.' More broadly, as part of efforts to strengthen primary health care, WHO has also equipped about 10 priority health districts across the country with essential materials to support maternal and newborn care. These include suction devices, resuscitation and anaesthesia equipment, ventilation tools and neonatal care kits. 'Our aim is to support Burundi's efforts to ensure equitable access to quality maternal and child health services, as part of the drive toward universal health coverage,' explains Dr Xavier Crespin, WHO Representative in Burundi. To sustain progress, he emphasizes the need for ongoing investment: 'We must continue strengthening hospital capacity by investing in skilled and motivated health personnel, ensuring access to appropriate equipment, securing greater funding for essential infrastructure, and putting in place systems for supervision and quality assurance of hospital care.' Of Johari's six babies, four survived beyond their first year of life. She remains deeply grateful for their safe arrival, and for the care she received. 'The medical team was extraordinary. They were skilled and they fought for us,' she says. 'We received all the necessary treatment and medication for the babies. We are thankful for the ones who made it.' Philomène shares a similar sense of gratitude. 'Every day my baby gains weight, and now I truly believe he will survive,' she says. 'I'm especially thankful for the incubator – it has made it possible for my child to get the care he needs to grow.' For Bivahagumye, who works closely with newborns and their mothers every day, his commitment to improving neonatal care remains personal and passionate. 'Neonatal care will always be my calling. Nothing gives me more joy than seeing a baby born weighing one kilogram or less not only survive, but thrive.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Burundi.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Youssouf Ndayishimiye: Burundi and Nice defender on his rise out of poverty
Growing up in Bujumbura, the largest city in Burundi, Youssouf Ndayishimiye always hoped that football would prove to be his route out of "unimaginable poverty". After becoming the most expensive player in his country's history when he joined Nice in 2023 for a reported €11.5m ($13m, £9.75m), the 26-year-old is certainly a world away from a childhood which included often going without food and lacking basic necessities. "I saw how much my mother loved us - but was unable to provide for us," he told BBC Great Lakes when recalling his early years. "I felt I had to work tirelessly so as to lift my family out of this poverty. I had a clear vision for my life." Bujumbura, located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, is the commercial capital of a nation which is one of the world's poorest in terms of GDP per capita, according to the World Bank. Born in the Buyenzi area of the city, Ndayishimiye is the eldest of three siblings and has another five half-siblings. His family later moved to the "dumpsite neighbourhood" of Buterere. His skills on a football pitch helped him stand out even if, on occasion, he had to train barefoot. When bigger clubs came calling, he would even have to deal with bouts of jealousy from his peers. "One day I had to borrow boots from a friend when a second division club, Les Lierres, had agreed to sign me," he said. "I was devastated when he refused to lend me the boots [for a trial], but I didn't give up."
