Photo of the week : massive influx of Congolese refugees, more than 47,000 people received urgently

In less than two weeks, the province of Cibitoke has seen an influx of nearly 50,000 Congolese refugees fleeing violence in their country. This massive displacement, composed mainly of women and children, is putting a strain on the reception capacities of this Burundian region. Faced with the humanitarian emergency, the UN is calling for international support to meet the dire needs in housing, health care and food supplies.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The situation is particularly alarming in the district of Rugombo, where 47,632 refugees have been registered, the majority of whom are women and children. The latter are fleeing clashes between the M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the east of the country. During a visit to the country on February 26, Brigitte Mukanga Eno, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Burundi, indicated that nearly 43,000 refugees are in Rugombo, while approximately 4,000 others have been identified in the Cibitoke area.

These exiled populations have found refuge in football stadiums, schools and churches, temporarily transformed into accommodation centers. This situation has forced pupils to stay at home, due to the lack of available premises to continue their education. Living conditions are extremely difficult : among the refugees, there are more than 2,500 pregnant women, and at least four women have reported having been victims of sexual violence. In addition, more than 7,000 children have been identified, three of whom are already showing symptoms of measles.

Insufficient infrastructure

The health situation is worrying. The spread of malaria is on the rise, and the health infrastructure is largely inadequate, with only 35 mobile latrines for all refugees. On average, a latrine is shared by 50 people, which poses serious hygiene and public health problems.

Faced with this crisis, Burundian authorities, in collaboration with the UNHCR, the embassies of South Africa and Tanzania, as well as several NGOs, are working on a plan to relocate refugees to other provinces, notably Rutana and Mwaro, in order to relieve congestion in Cibitoke. However, the needs remain immense. The inhabitants of the province have shown exemplary solidarity by providing food and clothing to the refugees, but the resources are far from being sufficient to respond to the scale of the crisis.

The UNHCR is urgently appealing for national and international assistance to prevent a deterioration in the humanitarian situation, especially as the influx of refugees could continue if the fighting in the South Kivu region of the DRC does not stop. Burundi, already facing multiple economic and social challenges, is seeing its reception capacity severely tested, making rapid intervention essential to avoid a larger crisis.

Our photo : In the middle, UNHCR Representative in Burundi, Brigitte Mukanga Eno talks to Congolese refugees recently received in Cibitoke province, including children, February 2025 (SOS Médias Burundi)