Meheba (Zambia) : Burundian refugees leave Tanzania in desperate conditions

SOS Médias Burundi

Meheba, Zambia, March 12, 2026 — Faced with the imminent closure of the Nyarugusu and Nduta camps in Tanzania, hundreds of Burundian refugees are fleeing Tanzania to escape uncertainty and persecution. Arriving at already overcrowded camps, they must survive in precarious conditions, often without food, mattresses, or assistance. Their voices remain largely unheard, while the humanitarian situation becomes critical.

Since the beginning of February, the Meheba camp in northwestern Zambia has seen an influx of Burundian refugees, mainly from Tanzania. According to a local source, these new arrivals are being hosted in a transit center located near the central market, on Route 36.

“They are mainly young people, women, and children. Their numbers vary between 100 and 150 people. They arrive individually, in groups, or with their families,” explains our source.

Precarious living conditions

At the transit center, the refugees lack everything. “No food assistance, no mattresses. They sleep on cardboard or mats and manage to survive while waiting for their asylum applications to be processed,” the source specifies. Some have settled in urban centers around the camp and come regularly to check on the progress of their applications.

An exodus linked to camp demolitions in Tanzania

According to our source, this refugee movement is primarily due to the upcoming closure of the Nyarugusu and Nduta camps, which host over 110,000 Burundian refugees. The closures are scheduled for the end of June and the end of March, respectively, as part of an agreement between the Burundian and Tanzanian governments and the UNHCR.

“Faced with these demolitions, some Burundian refugees have chosen to leave Tanzania to seek asylum in other countries, fearing persecution if they return to Burundi. Others are heading to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya,” the source explains.

Meheba camp facing overcrowding

The Meheba camp currently hosts over 27,000 refugees, including approximately 3,000 Burundians. Local officials fear unprecedented overcrowding, which could worsen the already difficult living conditions for all camp residents.