In July 2005, the Burundians chose a new president, Mr. Peter Nkurunziza, who was the candidate of the movement CNDD-FDD (a Hutu rebels group) when the elections took place. During his oath-taking ceremony, he swore to guarantee the integration of ethnic groups as well as the stability in the country. The political situation stabilized slightly, although some incidents still occur, particularly in the provinces around Bujumbura City.

A minority of the Hutu rebels group, the FNL, causes these incidents. The FNL was the only movement that did not sign the peace agreements that time. In June 2006, FNL started negotiations with the new government. However, up to now, there is no official ceasefire, as there is still fighting in some places between the government forces and the FNL movement. This does not stop the reconciliation though and rebuilding activities are already in progress.

Psychosocial care.
HealthNet TPO Burundi set up programmes that generally provide support and and assistance to mainly traumatized refugees, displaced people and (former) child soldiers.  We have a project that provides physical and mental health care to the displaced Congolese in the Gihinga and Gasorwe camps. This is done with the cooperation of the UNHCR. In Makamba and Bujumbura, ex child soldiers and vulnerable families are assisted through the provision of trainings and micro credits for the children and the creation of a rotary goat lending chain for vulnerable families.

A project that assists the victims of sexual violence and torture has been established as well. It works with the cooperation of other specialized NGOs and associations for an integrative approach composed of legal, medical and emotional support.

HealthNet TPO Burundi focuses in particular on children that suffered from war consequences (street children, war orphans, etc.). Some of them are following structured classroom based intervention sessions and others are provided of a minimal psychosocial care package, like youth group recreational activities. (see Child Thematic Programme).

Psychosocial and psychiatric care is provided through mobile clinics in 9 provinces of the country. In cooperation with the government HealthNet TPO is integrating mental health care into the basic health care programme to promote the durability of mental health services in Burundi.

Health Systems Development
In Gitega province, HealthNet TPO works to improve the sustainability and accessibility of health care. The spearhead is the introduction of result-dependent care contracts for the most occurring illnesses. This is done through the reinforcement /rehabilitation of hospitals and care centres and through sensitization sessions about malaria and HIV/Aids symptoms, consequences of giving birth at home, etc. In these contracting models the budgets of health centres are partly result related, which stimulates the centres to improve the quality of care. With this approach, HealthNet TPO is trying to establish standards for the control and treatment of malaria and HIV/Aids. The project in the Gitega province is part of a regional care programme of HealthNet TPO in Burundi, Sudan and DR Congo. (Health Sector Support Programme Africa)