'A third of Burundi people suffering food insecurity'

At least one-third of the Burundian population suffers from food insecurity, a study conducted by the UN World Food Programme has found.

During a workshop held Thursday it was told how a recent survey found at least one third of the Burundian population is suffering from food insecurity.

"The most affected areas include the provinces of Muramvya, Mwaro, Karusi and Rutana," said Jean Mahwane, head of Food Security unity at the World Food Program (WFP) in Burundi, citing the content of the global analysis of nutritional and food security and vulnerability in Burundi.

Mahwane indicated that the country's central Mwaro and Muramvya provinces have, in the past, been performing well in terms of food security.

He said "Both provinces didn't get interventions and food assistance like other provinces."

Mahwane indicated that the priority was given to northern and eastern provinces. Burundi has a population of 8.38 million in 2010 according to the revision of the World Population Prospects.

In 2013, Burundi has been ranked as the third most food insecure country in the world out of 79 countries surveyed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).