CONGO — More than 87,000 Congolese refugees in Burundi are facing alarming levels of hunger and insecurity as severe funding shortfalls continue to undermine humanitarian support, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) reported in May 2025.
Aid Reductions Threaten Basic Survival
Food rations for refugees in camps including Kavumu, Bwagiriza, Nyankanda, and Musasa have been slashed to just 50% of the minimum daily nutritional requirement since 2023. Refugees are now receiving an average of 1,050 kilocalories per day—less than half the 2,100 kilocalories recommended for basic health.
“The current funding levels are insufficient to meet even the most basic food needs of these refugees,” said WFP Representative in Burundi Housainou Taal. He added that at least $4 million is urgently needed to restore full rations over the next six months.
Health officials report rising rates of malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
Rising Violence in and Around Camps
The crisis extends beyond food shortages. Humanitarian organizations have documented an increase in theft, violence, and exploitation both within and near the camps. Refugees who venture out in search of food or income face elevated risks, including assault and harassment.
Aid workers warn that deteriorating camp security could further destabilize the region and heighten tensions between host communities and refugee populations.
Conflict-Driven Displacement from Eastern DRC
The majority of Congolese refugees in Burundi fled long-running violence in North and South Kivu, provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since the late 1990s, armed group activity and clashes with government forces have displaced millions.
Renewed conflict in 2023 and 2024 has triggered additional waves of displacement. Despite facing its own economic and political struggles, Burundi continues to host a large refugee population, with stretched resources and limited capacity to expand services.
UN Calls for Urgent Global Action
UNHCR, WFP, and their partners are urgently appealing to donor nations to close the funding gap. Without immediate intervention, agencies warn of worsening health outcomes and potential secondary migration out of Burundi.
“This is not just a humanitarian emergency—it is a test of international solidarity,” said UNHCR Burundi Representative Pamela Mungoma. “The lives of tens of thousands of vulnerable people depend on our collective response.”
According to GhanaWeb, humanitarian agencies are monitoring the situation closely and continue to push for improved funding, access, and protection measures to prevent further deterioration.
