Musenyi : over 22,000 refugees overcrowded, the shelter crisis worsens

Burunga, March 5, 2026 – The Musenyi site, located in the district of Musongati in Burunga province, southern Burundi, is currently hosting over 22,000 refugees. Originally designed in 2024 for 10,000 people, its housing situation has deteriorated significantly a year after the massive influx of refugees in February 2025, exposing thousands of families to precarious living conditions and numerous risks.

Highly uneven housing distribution

At the site, refugees live in three distinct types of housing. Those who arrived first in 2024 occupy relatively stable, permanent houses. In contrast, those who arrived in 2025 are housed in tents subdivided into small rooms separated by old curtains, while others live in district sheds.

While conditions vary depending on the type of shelter, the difficulties remain widespread : excessive heat, insecurity, nighttime thefts, and deteriorating facilities are the daily reality for many households.

Community sheds : overcrowding and insecurity

Community sheds are among the most problematic shelters. Some host more than 100 people in a single space, without sufficient partitions. A refugee living in shed number 57, speaking on condition of anonymity, testifies :

“We live crammed together, without any privacy. Families sleep side by side, sometimes separated by just sheets. During the day, it is extremely hot, and at night, the air doesn’t circulate well. The children often get sick. It is difficult to rest or even talk as a family. I have been living here for ten months, and each day becomes harder to bear. We are also afraid of theft, because everyone comes and goes freely.”
The overcrowding not only fosters tensions between residents but also exacerbates health and safety risks.

Tents : wear and tear and vulnerability

The condition of the tents is another major concern. Over time and with exposure to the elements, many tents have deteriorated. During rainstorms, water seeps inside, soaking food and personal belongings.

Waso, a mother of four, warns of the precariousness of the shelters :

“Our tent is already very worn. When it rains, water gets in everywhere. We sometimes spend the night standing up to protect the children and our few belongings. Some tents are torn and held together only with ropes. They can collapse at the slightest breeze. We live in constant fear.”

Some tents are held together with makeshift ties, endangering their occupants, especially children and the elderly.

Urgent appeal to humanitarian partners

Faced with this situation, the refugees are making an urgent appeal to the Regional Hospital Center (CHR) and humanitarian partners to consider building more robust and durable shelters. With a population more than double its initial capacity, the Musenyi site is facing considerable pressure on its infrastructure.

Without swift intervention, living conditions risk deteriorating further, exacerbating the vulnerability of thousands of people already suffering from displacement.

The occupants of the Musenyi site are from eastern Congo, having fled the hostilities that have persisted in this mineral-rich region for three decades.