Burundi : administrative reshuffles and elimination of deputy administrator positions in refugee camps

SOS Médias Burundi

Muyinga, January 21, 2026 – The National Authority for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (ONPRA) carried out an administrative reorganization in several refugee camps across Burundi on Tuesday. This reform involves both the reshuffling of camp administrators and the elimination of the deputy administrator position, a measure that affects camps in both the east and north of the country.

This reorganization specifically impacts the Nyankanda, Bwagiriza, Kavumu, and Busuma camps in the east, as well as the Kinama and Musasa camps in the north. According to information gathered by SOS Médias Burundi, these changes are not limited to camp administration. Other services under the ONPRA (National Authority for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons), including Camp Management and Protection, have also been reassigned, according to the new allocations decided by the institution.

On Tuesday, the newly appointed administrators arrived at their assigned camps to officially assume their duties.

Budgetary constraints in the background

The elimination of the deputy administrator position is primarily linked to the budgetary constraints faced by many humanitarian organizations operating in Burundi. Some of them have been forced to reduce their staff by up to 50%, like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has been severely affected by the decrease in international funding.

Changes at Kinama : between recognition and concerns

At the Kinama camp, this reorganization has resulted in the arrival of a new administrator, Gervais Miburo, who replaces Claudine Nsengiyumva, transferred to the neighboring Musasa camp in Butanyerera province.

The departure of the former administrator has sparked reactions among the refugees, who are torn between gratitude for her work and hope for a positive working relationship with the new administrator.

“We are sad to see Ms. Claudine leave, as she was very attentive to maintaining order and helped us resolve our administrative issues,” says Aristide, a refugee at the Kinama camp. “We hope the new administrator will continue in the same spirit, despite the heavy responsibilities that await him,” he adds.

Other refugees, however, express concerns about the suppression of the deputy administrator position and the new administration’s ability to address the camp’s daily challenges.

“The fact that the administrator is now working alone worries us a bit. There are many tasks, especially in terms of security and administrative management. But we expect him to do his best to maintain stability in the camp,” says Fiston, a refugee at the Kinama camp.

A fragile balance to preserve

Despite these concerns, the refugees interviewed hope that this new organization will ensure the continuity of services, the maintenance of law and order, and effective administrative management, despite the financial constraints and the increased burden of responsibilities now placed on administrators.

To date, Burundi hosts more than 200,000 refugees. More than 90% of them live in camps, while the remainder reside in urban areas, primarily in Bujumbura, the commercial capital, and in the port city of Rumonge, in the southwest of the country.