Since 2023, severe flooding in Burundi has displaced thousands more than 3,000 children in vulnerable situations. HealthNet TPO, with partners, is strengthening local systems to ensure long-term support for affected families and children.
Since September 2023, Burundi has faced severe flooding caused by the El Niño phenomenon, displacing 47,739 people and affecting over 297,746. At the Mubimbi IDP site, 6,181 individuals, including 3,294 children, live in challenging conditions with limited access to education and increased risks of abuse and exploitation.
To face this emergency, since August 2024, HealthNet TPO, in partnership with UNICEF, Street Child, and Spring Communities, is implementing a project to enhance child protection and support vulnerable children and families. The project includes the establishment of child-friendly spaces where younger children participate in creative and recreational activities, while adolescents engage in life skills programmes through the “Hub Inspiration” initiative. Caregivers and parents are trained in positive parenting and psychosocial support to foster a nurturing environment.
To ensure the sustainability of this programme in the future, community volunteers and protection committees are trained to prevent gender-based violence and strengthen local systems. Monitoring and feedback mechanisms are in place to track the project’s impact and adapt interventions as needed. These activities aim to reduce risks, provide essential support, and empower communities to create a safer future for their children.
