Burundi : Congolese Rrefugees in distress faced with dwindling aid

SOS Médias Burundi

Musenyi, August 9, 2025 – Amid rising humanitarian needs and dwindling international resources, the regional representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Africa, Mamadou Dian Balde, visited Burundi, notably the Musenyi refugee site, to listen to the refugees’ concerns.

This visit comes as the country continues to host Congolese refugees fleeing the war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at a time when resources available for refugees are dwindling due to the massive influx and declining funding from international donors, particularly the United States.

During this visit, the refugee committee, represented by Dieudonné Sumbi, expressed several major grievances: inadequate healthcare, restrictions on movement requiring an exit ticket to leave the site—a measure perceived as an infringement on freedom of movement—and children’s education. Finally, the reduction in food rations, currently provided at 50% of needs by the World Food Program (WFP), is raising growing concerns about food security.

In response to these concerns, Mr. Balde pledged his commitment to conveying these grievances to the relevant authorities and advocating for improvements in the refugees’ living conditions. He announced upcoming discussions with the Burundian Ministry of the Interior, Public Security, and Community Development, particularly on the issue of freedom of movement.

Mr. Balde also visited other sites, such as the Cishemere transit camp and the Rusizi River, in Bujumbura province, on the border with Congo—a perilous passage used by many refugees crossing the border in difficult conditions.

Jean-Marie, a Congolese refugee who arrived in Cishemere two months ago, recounted his harrowing journey:
“I fled the war with my wife and three children. We crossed the Rusizi River at night. The current was strong. We thought we were going to die. Today, we sleep on the ground with very little to eat. But seeing the regional representative here gives us a little hope that our grievances will be heard.”

Today, Burundi hosts more than 90,000 refugees, over 90% of whom are from the DRC.

On his X account (formerly Twitter), on August 10, 2025, Mamadou Dian Balde wrote:
“I am inspired by the dynamism and resilience of the refugees I met in Cibitoke and at the Musenyi site. With more support, these young women and men generously welcomed in #Burundi will survive, while they wait for peace at home and #sustainablesolutions.”