Nyarugusu : World Vision halts food aid in the face of unfair exclusions

SOS Médias Burundi

Nyarugusu, March 15, 2026 — The distribution of food aid to Burundian refugees in the Nyarugusu camp in Tanzania was suspended Tuesday by the NGO World Vision until further notice. This decision comes after the camp administration removed several hundred Burundian refugees from the lists of beneficiaries of assistance for the month of March.

Removal from lists : hundreds of refugees excluded

The beginning of March marked the start of food distributions. But upon arrival, more than 600 Burundian refugees discovered that they were no longer eligible for assistance. World Vision, responsible for distribution on behalf of the World Food Program (WFP), was also surprised and immediately referred the refugees to the UNHCR offices and the camp administration for clarification.

The camp administration eventually confirmed that it was responsible for the decision. According to the camp director, the affected refugees had their cards removed from the system and are considered to have returned home. He stated, “Every week, we have to remove more than 600 people from the system. Go to the registration office to return to your country and get everything you need.”

World Vision denounces a violation of refugees’ rights

In response to this measure, World Vision decided to suspend all food aid distribution. “We cannot continue like this! It is unacceptable. No one should be without assistance while they are still in the camp,” said the NGO staff.

Burundian refugees welcome this decision : “If humanitarian organizations also expressed their outrage at the demolition of our homes, perhaps the situation would change!” they say, hoping that this mobilization will lead to a swift solution.

“Forced” return and destruction of shelters

On the ground, a source reports that registrations for so-called “forced” returns are increasing. “The transit centers are bursting at the seams!” it laments, adding that half of the Burundian camp has already been demolished.

The Nyarugusu camp currently hosts more than 50,000 Burundian refugees, who live alongside more than 60,000 Congolese refugees, already in very difficult conditions.

World Vision calls on the camp authorities and humanitarian partners to ensure that all refugees present receive food assistance, in accordance with human rights and the UNHCR mandate.

Tanzanian authorities, the Burundian and Tanzanian governments, and the UNHCR have agreed that the section of Nyarugusu hosting Burundian refugees should close at the end of June.