Within a mere two-week span, over 60,000 individuals have made their way into Burundi, escaping the deadly violence that plagues the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Many of these families were internally displaced within DRC and are now searching for refuge in neighboring Burundi. Predominantly, it is women and children who are making the arduous journey, fleeing the ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC.

As the conflict edges closer to the town of Uvira, situated near the official border crossing, the flood of refugees is anticipated to escalate. The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has praised Burundi’s decision to confer prima facie status on these refugees, guaranteeing them immediate protection and crucial humanitarian support.

Those arriving in Burundi are primarily Congolese citizens who have faced displacement before, now forced to relocate anew due to fresh skirmishes. Some have journeyed from as distant as Goma, hundreds of kilometers to the north, underscoring another poignant case of recurrent dislocation in East Africa.

UNHCR and its associates are diligently working to provide support to these refugees, delivering indispensable supplies such as sustenance, potable water, bedding materials, and hygiene essentials. Autonomous community groups are also offering cherished assistance.

Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, the UNHCR Representative for Burundi, has recently visited the refugees in Kaburantwa, there to hear their worries and appraise their requirements. Upon arrival, those fleeing are being escorted to the Musenyi refugee camp, a facility designed to host up to 10,000 individuals. UNHCR personnel are providing aid with enrollment and transport, ensuring the safe relocation of refugees.

The Government of Burundi is moving to set aside additional territory to amplify the capacity of the refugee settlements, supplying urgently needed sanctuaries and backing.