Musongati : repeated fires at the Musenyi site, growing concern among Congolese refugees

SOS Médias Burundi

Musongati, April 7, 2026 — A series of fires is causing concern among Congolese refugees living at the Musenyi II site in the district of Musongati, Burunga province, southern Burundi. In less than a month, at least four tents have been destroyed by flames, leaving some families homeless and worsening their living conditions.

All the incidents involve dwellings located at this site, where shelters are mostly built from lightweight and flammable materials. While the exact causes remain unknown, several sources suggest cooking food inside the tents as a likely factor.

These fires are resulting in significant losses for the affected families. Mattresses, food, clothing, and other essential belongings are completely consumed in minutes, plunging the victims into extreme vulnerability.

“Fires often break out while we’re cooking inside the tents, even if we don’t want them to,” says Furaha, a resident of the Musenyi II area. “The materials catch fire very quickly, and we don’t have time to save our belongings. We have no choice but to cook inside, but it becomes very dangerous for us and our children.”

Faced with this situation, refugees are increasingly appealing to the UNHCR and its partners. Some are pleading for safer infrastructure to mitigate the risks.

“We are asking the UNHCR and the ONPRA (National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) to build houses with durable materials and to set up sturdy community kitchens,” pleads Moïse, a refugee. “This would significantly reduce the risk of fire and protect our families.”

The Musenyi I and II sites currently host nearly 22,000 Congolese refugees. At Musenyi II, residents live primarily in shelters made of lightweight materials, including tents. The site recently celebrated its second anniversary in April 2026.

Despite humanitarian efforts, these recurring fires highlight the persistent challenges related to the safety and dignity of the living conditions. While awaiting concrete measures, the refugees live in constant fear of further disasters, hoping for lasting solutions to prevent these recurring catastrophes.