The United Nations warned on Friday that Burundi is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as over 40,000 refugees have arrived in the past two weeks, fleeing escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Brigitte Mukanga-eno, UNHCR Representative in Burundi, spoke via video link from Geneva, noting that “Last week alone, more than 9,000 refugees crossed into Burundi in a single day. This is the largest number the country has ever received.”
The M23 rebel group’s advance represents the most significant escalation in Congo’s ongoing conflict, which has spanned over a decade and is fueled by the legacy of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition for Congo’s mineral wealth. While Rwanda denies accusations from Congo, the UN, and Western nations of supporting M23 with military aid, it asserts that it is defending itself against Hutu militias collaborating with the Congolese army.
The influx of refugees, primarily into northwest Burundi, has overwhelmed local communities. Many displaced individuals have endured multiple relocations, arriving with serious health issues, including injuries and measles. The UN highlighted the tragic story of a mother who lost her two children to exhaustion shortly after crossing into Burundi.
According to the UNHCR, 36,000 refugees have arrived in Burundi via makeshift boats across the Rusizi River, while 6,000 have entered through the official Bujumbura border crossing since February 14. Mukanga-eno remarked, “The deteriorating situation in the DRC is having a profound effect on Burundi, with large numbers of Congolese refugees arriving in recent weeks.”
The displaced are being temporarily housed in open-air stadiums, schools, and churches. Plans are in place to relocate them to designated areas where proper humanitarian support can be provided.
In response to the growing crisis, the UNHCR has launched an emergency appeal for $40.4 million to assist refugees in Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia, anticipating the potential arrival of up to 258,000 individuals.
Burundi, which has maintained a military presence in eastern Congo for years, initially to target Burundian rebels and more recently to combat M23, faces further challenges in managing the escalating refugee situation.
