Reconciliation of Refugees Returning from Exile.

1. Introduction and context

Since February 2024 a serious flooding emerged in Gatumba zone and its surrounding area including the Beach of Tanganyika Lake. Those who fled from there were installed by the government in two different Internal Displaced camps in Bujumbura province. There is another group people who rent rooms to stay in or occupied empty compound in in Kajaga  quater not far from Gatumba where they came from. Those people are in miserable conditions. IPB is intervening with psychosocial assistance. For this reason a trauma healing workshop was conducted there from 28 t0 30 September 2024. Twenty six participant were there including 19 female and 7 male

In Gatumba area the following were identified as the main causes of trauma:

• Different assassinations that occurred there
• Kidnappings of people
• periodic flooding, between February and may
• plantation devastations following the flooding,
• polygamous,
• spread of AIDS,
• the extreme poverty,
• periodic attacks of rebel movement from RD Congo,
• food insecurity,
• Periodic movement of populations.

1. Some key stories from Gatumba workshop

Joel

As the Gatumba chief quarter this workshop was very important in these tough moment we are in. mainly knowing about trauma and its consequences. We have been since years ago in a cycle of violence, floods, food insecurities and other different calamities, we were in needed of being listened to release ourselves. I saw the power of the active listening in this workshop

Emmanuella

The sessions about symptoms and consequences of trauma help me to understand my psychological situation today. It was also very important to know that after a traumatic experience life must continue. I will apply what I come to learn. I will help my family members who are also traumatized

Audace

AS a local authority leader, I come to understand the power of active listening in resolving conflicts or other problems. My behavior and attitude are going to change when listening to population

Beatrice

My neighbors and my community accuse me of marching as men. As a female, it was like insulting me or putting me down.   After the session on the JOHARI’s window, I understood this as the way I was created and no way to change it. I’m like that and this makes my individual and personal identity. Since them I’m proud about that because marching as men gives me an added value.

Conclusion

IPB is proud to have conducted this workshop for the victims of the Gatumba flooding that lasted until today, when the new rain season started yet. Meaning that those people will stay in refuge’s camp or location for long period

• Workshop view and mood (DOCX)
• Gatumba_2.docx (DOCX)