About 4,500 Burundians flee famine: local governor

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AA) - Some 4,500 Burundians have fled the northern provinces of the East African country due to famine, according to the governor of Kirundo province next to the Rwandan border, Melchior Nankwahomba.

People are fleeing mainly from the regions near the Rweru and Cohoha lakes close to the border, the governor told Anadolu Agency late Tuesday.

"Some families destroyed their homes before heading to the border provinces of Muyinga and Ngozi," he added.

Several witnesses told Anadolu Agency that they had seen families crossing the border to Tanzania and others illegally taking the road to Rwanda.

In May 2016, Kirundo provincial authorities claimed that almost 700 Burundians working in the fields in Rwanda were expelled by Rwandan authorities.

Between 2004 and 2005, over 30 people died and many others fled to neighboring Rwanda and Tanzania due to famine in northern Burundi.

More than 250,000 people have fled to DR Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he was running for a third term, according to the UNHCR.

Burundi's economic situation worsened in 2016 as many European states suspended financial support.

The country is highly dependent on international aid which is worth more than 50 percent of government expenditure.