The ecological impact of refugee/returnee programmes supported by the Norwegian Refugee Council in Burundi

At the request of the Norwegian Refugee Council, this review was undertaken of the ecological impact of the organisation in Burundi, including its Camp Management and Shelter programmes.

As a backdrop to this review, NRC Burundi in its 2008-2009 Plan of Action set certain objectives in terms of improved environmental protection in the implementation of its activities. Three specific objectives were noted:

- to find alternative solutions to the use of firewood in order to reduce its use by 75 per cent in refugee camps;

- to analyse the technical approach adopted by NRC in the construction of houses, household latrines and social infrastructure (classrooms, latrines blocs ), and propose improvements or possible alternatives for the use of materials with limited adverse environmental impact;

- to mitigate waste and environmental pollution as a result of offices in Burundi.

The Mission commends NRC on the approach it has taken through this Plan of Action and particularly the high standards it has set and maintains in addressing these objectives. NRC, for example, has been highly conscious of the possible environmental impacts
associated with the activities of its four offices in Burundi.

Some minor areas for improvement do remain, e.g. in relation to the stocking and safe disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals and cross-referring the supplier s database with environmental information and considerations, but in general this activity was being conducted at a very high level. Some issue, such as the eventual disposal of waste at the Bujumbura tip level are outside of the control of this programme.