Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Friday July 19, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of Burundi, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro participated in the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) on the report of the AU Independent Technical Team on the hosting of the African Humanitarian Agency (AFHA).
In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of Burundi, His Excellency Mr Albert Shingiro praised the exceptionally professional manner in which the work has been conducted since the beginning of the session. He also congratulated the Permanent Representatives Committee for the comprehensive and well-written report submitted for appreciation, thus facilitating all the work. His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro also congratulated the members of the independent panel that worked on the issue that all participants took up for its comprehensive, well-structured and documented report and delivered with an eloquence desired by the Director in charge of health and humanitarian affairs. He particularly acclaimed the multisectoral nature of the composition of the panel, an element that strengthens the quality of the report submitted for the appreciation of all participants.
The main mission of the African Humanitarian Agency is to provide immediate and sustainable assistance to the populations affected by crises, whether caused by the natural disasters, the conflicts or the epidemics. It will also have to promote the resilience of the communities by implementing a disaster prevention and preparedness programs instead of always playing firefighters.
To achieve its objectives, that Agency will have to be provided with sufficient and predictable resources and innovative financing mechanisms. The member countries will explore various sources of funding, including the contributions from member states, the partnerships with the private and public sectors.
The African Humanitarian Agency will also have to collaborate closely with the existing humanitarian organizations, whether African or international. Such synergy will help maximizing the impact of the humanitarian interventions and avoid duplication of efforts.
As a nation that has experienced the humanitarian crises, Burundi understands the need for a collective, rapid and effective response. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation assured the Burundi’s readiness to make its contribution and work closely with other countries to make that Agency a shared success and a powerful tool at the service of African populations.