Massive influx of Congolese refugees strains Burundi's humanitarian capacities

Refugee Crisis: Congolese Arrivals in Burundi

Thousands of Congolese refugees are arriving in Burundi to escape ongoing conflicts between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with their allies in South Kivu.

The M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, have claimed control of the city of Uvira. In response to the increasing number of refugees, new reception sites have been established, including the Kansega transit site located in the Ndava zone of Bujumbura province, near the DRC border.

Conditions at these sites are challenging. There is a lack of essential services such as water, sanitation, and shelter. Refugees report facing severe hardships before reaching safety in Burundi.

Between December 5 and 11, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) documented the arrival of 40,000 new Congolese refugees in Burundi. These individuals are currently distributed across three transit sites: Kansega, Cishemere, and Gatumba.

UNHCR representative Brigitte Mukanga-Engo visited the Kansega site on December 11 and confirmed the dire conditions, citing significant resource shortages and calling for urgent assistance.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans

UNHCR is coordinating with immigration services and ONPRA, the government agency responsible for refugees, to manage the situation. The Directorate of Repatriation is also involved, as many of those crossing into Burundi are Burundians returning from the DRC.

In response to the increasing refugee numbers, UNHCR plans to open a new refugee camp in Bweru, eastern Burundi. As of this summer, Burundi has hosted over 71,000 Congolese refugees, with approximately 18,000 residing in the Musenyi camp.

Based on reporting by Africanews.