Buhumuza: end of Merankabandi, two years of cash transfers that transformed the lives of refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Buhumuza, September 22, 2025 – The program Merankabandi, a joint initiative of the Burundian government, the World Bank, and the World Food Program (WFP), has concluded in the Ruyigi region of Buhumuza province, eastern Burundi. For two years, it provided regular financial support to thousands of refugees, enabling them to diversify their meals, create small sources of income, and regain some hope in a context where food aid is gradually being reduced.

Regular and impactful cash transfers

Every two months, the selected refugees received 73,600 Burundi francs via their mobile phones, or 72,000 Burundi francs net after withdrawal. This seemingly modest support has had a tangible impact on the beneficiaries’ daily lives.

“Thanks to Merankabandi, I was able to diversify my children’s diet. Before, it was beans and corn or cassava paste. Now they eat vegetables, fish, and sometimes meat,” says Grâce, a mother of six children in Bwagiriza.

“I saved a little with each transfer and ended up buying a goat. It’s a start, but it’s important for me and my family,” says Josué, a refugee in Nyankanda.

Excluded beneficiaries express their frustration

However, not all refugees were included in the program. Samuel, a resident of the Nyankanda camp, expresses his disappointment :

“I wasn’t selected for Merankabandi, even though my situation is similar to that of my neighbors. The program must think of us in the future.”

A transition to self-reliance

The project doesn’t end with the final payment : beneficiaries whose business plans are validated will be able to receive a USD 200 grant this month to develop an income-generating activity.

Since its launch, Merankabandi has distributed more than US$1.26 million to nearly 8,000 refugee households in five camps. This program has helped reduce dependence on WFP food assistance, which is itself severely limited by a lack of funding.

Today, Burundi is home to more than 100,000 Congolese refugees, many of whom have seen their daily lives transformed thanks to Merankabandi.