Burundi

Handicap International’s goal in Burundi is to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities and to advance their rights by building the capacities of local operators.

Context

Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries. Over 81% of the population lives under the poverty threshold. It is densely populated, with an average of more than 300 inhabitants per sq.km.

Initial actions

Handicap International has been present in Burundi since 1992. Our initial projects provided support for rehabilitation centres, centres for children with multiple disabilities, civil society HIV/AIDS control initiatives and income-generation activities for people with disabilities.

Types of intervention

1. Capacity-building for disabled people’s organisations
2. Direct and institutional support (training) for physical rehabilitation centres,
3. Cross-cutting communication strategy to advance disability prevention, multi-partner cooperation, advocacy initiatives designed to change attitudes towards disability, and the development and implementation of national disability inclusion policies.
4. Capacity-building for operators working in the field of chronic and disabling diseases to enhance access to services.
5. Enhancing access to services for refugee and/or repatriated populations and advancing their autonomy.
6. Maternal health (case-management of women with obstetric fistulae)
7. Socio-economic inclusion of disabled veterans
8. Fostering inclusive education
9. Access for people with disabilities to HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence services

Target beneficiaries

• People with disabilities, their families and communities
• People affected by disabling diseases, diabetes and HIV/AIDS
• Women with fistulae
• Victims of chronic disasters, refugees and repatriated populations, disabled or highly vulnerable people (people with disabling diseases, victims of violence, etc.)

Example of Action

Backyard women. This is what women suffering from obstetric fistulae are known as in Burundi. As part of our community-based rehabilitation activities, we case-manage a large number of women with obstetric fistulae. This project was developed specifically for them. Launched in September 2010, it aims to enhance the quality of life of these women who, in addition to living with a serious medical condition, are excluded from society. We help to improve their lives by giving them better access to quality medical care and providing them with support during and after their stay in hospital, which makes it easier to return to their families. Handicap International provides them with psychological support, as well as assistance and advice on hygiene, family planning and nutrition. We also help these women to perform income-generating activities.