Aid efforts in Burundi buckling as more Congolese arrive in largest influx in decades

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI – As conflict in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues, thousands are still crossing the border into Burundi in what has become the largest influx the country has experienced in decades.

Nearly 63,000 people have arrived in less than a month, with over 1,100 crossing on 5 March. Despite a slight decline in arrivals this past week, hundreds of refugees continue to arrive in Burundi every day through 11 border crossings, most of which are unofficial. The majority are women, children and the elderly.

Some arrivals tell harrowing stories of dangerous journeys, including new mothers crossing the Rusizi River with their newborns in their arms. Others walked for hours, traversing difficult terrain at night without stopping to rest, fearful of getting caught up in hostilities. For some, this is not the first displacement. One 45-year-old mother first fled to Burundi as a teenager, and is now back with her six children. Many children are arriving alone or separated from their families.

There are also reports of people being forced to pay skyrocketing fees for transportation to the border, up to three times the cost two weeks ago, making it too expensive for many to afford to reach safety.

The Burundian authorities have established reception and transit facilities to register, shelter, and provide emergency assistance to those arriving. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners, are rushing to support relief efforts with emergency aid.

Over 45,000 refugees are still sheltering in a local stadium in Rugombo, a few kilometres from the DRC border, awaiting relocation to designated refugee sites. The stadium has surpassed its hosting capacity, and many families are now staying in open fields within the community or with well-wishers.

This week, UNHCR set up a protection desk to provide critical psychosocial support and to assist in identifying specific needs among the new arrivals, including unaccompanied children, survivors of sexual violence, the elderly, and people with serious medical conditions. However, resources available for follow-up care are extremely limited. Inadequate sanitation facilities and poor waste management are making the situation even more precarious, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. 

Relocation has started to the new refugee site identified by the authorities to ease pressure at the border. However, significant logistical challenges, including vehicle shortages and long travel times, are challenging efforts to move refugees to better equipped locations.

In the Musenyi refugee site, in the south of the country, new arrivals are settling down. The site, which can host 10,000 people, is now 60 per cent full, with people setting up in communal shelters as UNHCR and partners construct more appropriate housing. Refugees are receiving food and water and can access local health facilities. More land is being identified by the Government of Burundi where additional refugee sites can be set up as more arrive.

Medical services, including specialized treatment for the wounded, as well as psychosocial support to help address trauma, are urgently needed. To ensure refugee children can continue learning, UNHCR is looking to build additional classrooms in local schools and other educational facilities.

In the current constrained funding environment, Burundi is one of many countries where an urgent injection of support is needed. Without it, more lives will be put at risk.

As of 5 March, some 85,000 people have fled to neighbouring counties from the DRC following the recent escalation of fighting. By comparison, less than 7,000 people fled to neighbouring countries in the first two months of 2024.

For more information, please contact:

• In Bujumbura: Faith Kasina, kasina@unhcr.org, +254 113 427 094
• In Bujumbura: Bernard Ntwari, ntwarib@unhcr.org, +257 69 91 80 00
• In Kinshasa: Hanson Tamfu, tamfu@unhcr.org, +243 825 257 774
• In Pretoria (regional): Duniya Aslam Khan, khand@unhcr.org, +27 84 585 720
• In Geneva: Olga Sarrado Mur, sarrado@unhcr.org, +41797402307
• In Geneva: Eujin Byun, byun@unhcr.org, +41 79 747 8719