The need for humanitarian aid persists. Warring parties throughout the region customarily violate international humanitarian law and the protection it offers to civilians. Unknown numbers are feared dead, deprived of life-saving assistance, or killed by troops. In Burundi, it is estimated that one in every nine people is displaced. Between 100 and 200 refugees flee into Tanzania each day, to join more than 300,000 refugees from D.R.Congo and Burundi.
Violent conflict persists alongside the new opportunities for development.
The region is half at peace and half at war. There are reasons to be cautious, to wait and assess the direction of regional events. The region's problems are complex, and there are no simple solutions. We argue that it is vital to engage swiftly with the governments of the region, and demonstrate support for their people's needs. Failure to do so, as in Rwanda's case following the genocide of 1994, will serve only to undermine further the credibility and influence of the international community.