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Burundi Security Guidelines
Last Updated: 20 Feb 2000
UNDP has allowed LTBP to establish an office in Bujumbura, Burundi, which will handle administrative matters for the Francophone countries. In spite of recent improvements, the security situation in Burundi is still 'precarious and unpredictable' according to the UNDP security guidelines. Consequently, LTBP requires all its consultants to adhere strictly to the following security guidelines, which are translated and condensed from "UN Security Guidelines for the Republic of Burundi, June 1999" and the "1998 UN - Security in the Field Handbook." These documents are on file in the Bujumbura Office. Long-term consultants and staff based in Burundi will be required to be familiar with this more detailed protocol.
All visiting consultants must apply for and receive a Visa de Sécurité from UNDP, in addition to their Burundi immigration visas. UNDP requires this document of all UN-affiliated staff. The visa registers your presence in Burundi with the appropriate UN and government offices and also ensures you are listed as known Project Personnel, in the unlikely event of an evacuation. It also grants you protection/aid by the UN Security team in case of any emergency. To receive a Visa de Sécurité, please fill out this form and email it to Kelly West, at least one week before your intended arrival.
NB: These visas are NOT required to enter Burundi. UNDP - BDI will process your
Visa de Sécurité and you will receive it upon reporting to the LTBP - BJM Station.
Due to Burundi's continued Phase III security status, UNDP will not grant Visa's de Sécurité to non-essential staff members and spouses or partners.
Please do not plan any extracurricular activities in Burundi or DR Congo, anywhere outside Bujumbura city. UNDP grants security clearance to staff working in specifically-designated 'safe zones' only. As a member of this project, your safety can not be guaranteed outside these designated zones.
Who Is Responsible For Your Security?
Firstly, YOU are by:
- Strictly obeying all instructions given to you;
- Avoiding carelessness;
- Taking no unnecessary risks;
- Not requesting unneccesary information from a government official or
any authority outside the Organisation you depend on - "Minding your own business"; - Informing LTBP personnel of any instructions you are given by any agent of the government;
- Not walking around Bujumbura after 1800hrs. Arrange taxi's well in advance for your transportation needs;
- Observe the UN curfew (presently, 2000hr to 0800hr) - your UNDP security 'insurance' is invalid after curfew;
- LTBP Office Hours are currently 0800-1200hr; 1400-1700hr;
- In light of current security restrictions, US, Belgian, French, and any other expatriates are requested to contact the local embassy and follow any and all further security restrictions, explicitly;
- British citizens should register with the Belgian Embassy;
- Avoid sensitive areas such as:
Radios:
Passports:- Consultants will be responsible for having a valid passport/visa and visa de sécurité on their person at ALL times. Do not leave your hotel room without your passport. Consultants are reminded never give anyone care of their passports. Do not leave your passport as collateral anywhere, anytime.
- In town and for missions in the field, if you do not speak French, Kirundi, or Kiswahili fluently, please make sure you are accompanied by someone (e.g., project driver) who speaks at least one of these languages fluently.
Hotels:
These common sense measures apply anywhere,
- Be aware of the security situation of the hotel where you are staying;
- Study the instructions in case of fire and identify escape routes;
- Make a habit of closing your door while entering or leaving your room;
- Before leaving your room, assure yourself that you have left no valuable objects lying exposed (i.e., jewelry, money, cameras, radios, computers);
- Use the hotel safe for valuables;
- Lock your suitcase before leaving your hotel.
Travelling by Vehicle:
- Please refer to the instructions given in the guide entitled 'Preventing Attack' which is available at the BJM Station;
- Avoid travelling alone, since in general, attackers are less enterprising when many persons are in the same vehicle;
- Always park your vehicle in a safe place, ready to go, especially at night. Back your vehicle into parking places, whenever possible, to facilitate a fast exit;
- Never pick up a hitch-hiker;
- Do not stop to assist a stranded motorist;
- Do not leave valuable things visible in your vehicle;
- It is preferable that you drive with your windows closed, especially in town, and your doors locked;
- Always keep a two car-length distance between you and the car ahead of you so that you may pass rapidly or perform a U-turn;
- Before entering your house, assure yourself that you are not being followed or that there are no suspicious individuals or vehicles lingering in the area. If this is the case, continue in the direction you were travelling and inform the Security Unit, who will give you instructions.
Road Blocks:
Road blocks are run by armed soldiers so:
- Go slowly and turn on your hazard lights;
- Switch on the interior dome light of your vehicle, stay calm, and answer questions politely;
- Watch carefully while you are driving because these road blocks are not always easy to see;
- Always stop for road blocks, if you unknowingly passed through one, back up
Travelling/Working Outside of Bujumbura City:
- The itinerary of each mission, after being authorised by LTBP, has to be submitted to UNDP for a security visa. Forms are available in our BJM office;
- Do not depart for a mission poutside the Bujumbura city limits before a confirmation of the state of security of the roads is done by LTBP administrators;
- Undertake team missions with a minimum of at least 2 persons;
- Travel with a medical kit, a toolkit, an extra tire, car jack, etc;
- Make sure you have a working radio;
- Maintain radio contact with LTBP while travelling and announce your arrival;
- Keep your radio switched ON so that you may receive information and instructions;
- Inform the LTBP office of any problematic incidents that may occur so we can inform the UNDP Security Unit;
- Keep track of the time. You must return to the LTBP BJM Station by 1730hr;
- A good timetable for your trip is between 0900 hr and 1400hr;
- Travelling at night and overnight visits are highly discouraged and would require special clearance from UNDP.
Attacks, Aggression:
Armed attacks generally consist of a violent and rapid action which forbids any reaction;
- Do not panic, try to stay calm as long as possible;
- Do not become aggressive;
- It is recommended that you obey orders of bandits/robbers (i.e., demands for the keys to the vehicle, handbags, jewelry, money);
- If you feel confident, begin a dialogue with your attackers;
- Try to delay their departure in the hope that someone will witness the attack and alert the authorities;
- Contact the Security Officer and the LTBP contacts listed below as soon as possible;
- Assume that all attackers are armed.
Grenades:
Explosions of grenades are not uncommon. No town or area is completely safe from that risk. In case of a grenade attack, please Follow the One-Step Rule:
- If the grenade is ONE single step from you, kick it away;
- If the grenade is NOT one step away, lunge to the ground away from the grenade with your feet being the closest portion of your body to the grenade
- Cover your ears with your hands and tuck your head to your chest;
- Keep your mouth open to prevent your eardrums from rupturing;
- Wait until the return of calm and then inform the Security Unit, the Chief of Sector, and your LTBP Personnel as soon as possible.
In Case of Regroupment (i.e., evacuation):
The Chief of Regroupment will be found at the Hotel Source du Nil and NOVOTEL
(Tel # 21.28.63, 21.29.44)
In Case of Emergency, please contact:
The Coordinator of the UN Security Unit:
Yvan MORASSE Tel# 21.28.63 Radio Call Sign: Alpha 2 (deux)
LTBP Personnel Responsible in Bujumbura:
Mamert MABONEZA Tel# 21.99.60 Radio Call Sign: Delta Tango 11
Your Agency Chief:
Dr. Andrew MENZ Tel# +255.52.118201 or +255/0812.782614
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