Musasa : a refugee camp without water for six months, the humanitarian crisis worsens

SOS Médias Burundi

Kiremba, June 11, 2026 – The humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly worrying in the Musasa refugee camp, in Kiremba district, Butanyerera province, northern Burundi, where more than 9,000 Congolese refugees have been living for over six months without regular access to drinking water. A prolonged breakdown of the pumping system has paralyzed the water supply, plunging households into daily hardship and exacerbating tensions with surrounding communities.

More than 9,000 Congolese refugees living in the Musasa camp are experiencing a humanitarian crisis marked by a near-total lack of drinking water for over six months. The situation, already precarious for several years, deteriorated significantly in 2026, according to several local sources.

Water, an essential resource for life, has become extremely difficult to access in the camp. No taps have been functioning properly for several months, forcing residents to travel to the low-lying areas below to try to obtain water.

The crisis has been compounded by the failure of the main pumping system motor. Its replacement is estimated at approximately US$27,000, an amount that has not yet been raised, according to local sources.

This failure has completely paralyzed the water supply network, affecting not only refugees but also many Burundian households living in the surrounding hills, who previously benefited from this infrastructure.

To survive, many refugees are now forced to buy water from residents of the neighboring hills. This situation significantly increases the burden on already vulnerable households.

Sifa, a refugee and mother of ten, describes a particularly difficult daily life :

“There are ten of us in my family. To meet our basic needs, I have to buy at least seven jerrycans of water regularly. Every month, I spend about 210,000 Burundian francs on water alone. This money comes from the support of the World Food Program (WFP). After that, there is almost nothing left for food, healthcare, or other essential needs.”

The water shortage has also led to increasing tensions between refugees and Burundian residents of the surrounding hills.

Every day, hundreds of people flock to the few available water points in the lowlands, causing long queues, pushing, and fighting.

Some refugees say they have to wait several hours to get a few jerrycans, while others prefer to buy water at a high price to avoid the long waits.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of the refugee committee indicates that several appeals have been made to the authorities and humanitarian partners.

“We have repeatedly appealed to the UNHCR, its representatives on the ground, and the Burundian authorities. We have explained the gravity of the situation, but no concrete solution has yet been provided. Meanwhile, the suffering continues.”

According to him, the crisis now goes beyond just the issue of access to water.

“The lack of water is also causing tensions with host communities. Conflicts over water points are becoming frequent and risk worsening if no action is taken quickly.”

He makes an urgent appeal :

“We are calling for urgent intervention from the UNHCR, the Burundian government, and humanitarian partners to repair the pumping system or implement alternative solutions. Water is vital. Every day without a solution worsens the situation.”

As the dry season intensifies, residents of the Musasa camp fear a worsening of the health crisis, particularly with the increased risk of waterborne diseases and deteriorating living conditions.

Local actors are calling for an urgent response to prevent an even more serious deterioration of the humanitarian situation.