Burundi : therapeutic food diverted, malnutrition figures inflated… a system allegedly at the heart of the scandal

SOS Médias Burundi

Burundi, August 10, 2026—Officials at some health centers in Burunga province, southern Burundi, are accused by health sector sources of diverting and reselling therapeutic food intended for malnourished children. These same sources allege manipulation of malnutrition figures to obtain more nutritional products. Some of this food then reportedly ends up in shops, while children genuinely suffering from malnutrition continue to require care.

Food intended for the malnourished ends up in shops

In several health districts of Burunga province, southern Burundi, health sector sources are denouncing the alleged diversion of therapeutic food intended for malnourished children.

According to these sources, some health officials are allegedly collecting nutritional products, particularly high-energy and high-protein foods, without systematically distributing them to children enrolled in treatment programs.

Some of these products are then reportedly resold in shops. Families are buying them for their children, even when the children are not malnourished.

The same sources also mention alleged manipulation of nutritional data. In some cases, the number of children reported as malnourished is allegedly artificially inflated to obtain larger quantities of therapeutic products.

According to the information gathered, some orders could represent several million Burundian francs.

Malnourished children would be the first victims.

If these accusations are confirmed, the consequences could be severe for children who genuinely need nutritional care.

The quantities available in health centers could become insufficient, while some of the stock would be diverted to commercial channels.

Our sources also denounce shortcomings in the control mechanisms.

They claim that these practices have persisted for several years despite the existence of systems at the district health level responsible for monitoring malnutrition.

The same sources also raise suspicions concerning certain medications intended for patients.

Therapeutic foods used off-label

Therapeutic foods are specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of malnourished children. Their distribution is normally part of a care program overseen by health services.

Their use by children who are not malnourished is therefore raising concerns among some professionals in the sector.

These concerns come at a time when cases of diabetes in children have also been reported recently in Burunga.

However, no available evidence establishes a direct link between the consumption of these products and the onset of diabetes in these children. A medical investigation would be necessary to determine the causes of these cases and identify any potential risk factors.

Officials reportedly lost their jobs or left the country

According to sources interviewed, some officials suspected of involvement in these practices have already lost their jobs.

Others have reportedly left Burundi, notably for Mozambique or the United Arab Emirates, for fear of prosecution.

This information has not yet been officially confirmed.

At this stage, no official decision establishing the individual responsibility of those named in these accusations has been communicated by the health authorities.

Those implicated should be given the opportunity to respond to these accusations before any final conclusions are reached.

An investigation is being called for

Given the seriousness of the accusations, an administrative, or even judicial, investigation would allow for verification of the quantities of products ordered, received, and actually distributed.

It could also compare the lists of children receiving care with data available on the ground, examine the stocks of health centers, and trace the destination of missing products.

Such an investigation would primarily help determine whether malnutrition figures have indeed been manipulated and establish the extent of any potential embezzlement.

It could also determine whether officials have personally profited from the resale of products intended for malnourished children.

Vital resources for vulnerable children

The issue goes far beyond simply managing stocks.

In a province where nutritional needs remain significant, therapeutic foods are an essential resource for malnourished children.

If the allegations are confirmed, each diverted product could deprive a vulnerable child of the care they need.

The suspicion of inflated figures also raises a crucial question: if data is artificially inflated to obtain more products, who then controls their destination?

Transparency in resource management, strengthening control mechanisms, and, where necessary, establishing accountability appear essential to protecting children and preserving the credibility of malnutrition programs.

For now, the allegations remain to be verified. An independent investigation would shed light on the supply chains, stocks, and actual destination of the therapeutic foods intended for children in Burunga.