Aid operations in Burundi are under mounting pressure as thousands of refugees continue to flee escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In less than a month, nearly 63,000 people have crossed into Burundi, marking the country’s largest refugee crisis in decades. On March 5 alone, over 1,100 arrivals were recorded.

While daily numbers have slightly decreased, hundreds continue to enter through 11 border points—most of them unofficial. Women, children, and the elderly make up the majority of those fleeing, with many experiencing displacement for a second or third time.

“I don’t know what to feel, I fled here during previous conflicts,” said Congolese refugee Sikujua Bisimura. “Now I am here for the second time, there is no peace.”

Over 45,000 refugees are currently sheltering in an overcrowded stadium in Rugombo, near the DRC border, waiting to be relocated to designated camps. The site has surpassed capacity, forcing some families to sleep in open fields or with host communities.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and humanitarian partners are struggling to provide emergency assistance, including food, water, and medical aid. However, resources are running dangerously low.

“The women and children lack everything, particularly shelter,” said Aline Irakarama, an associate reporting officer at UNHCR.

A newly established protection desk is assessing urgent needs, prioritizing unaccompanied minors, survivors of sexual violence, and those requiring urgent medical care. In Musenyi, a refugee site in southern Burundi, new arrivals are moving into communal shelters as additional housing is constructed. However, the site—designed to accommodate 10,000 people—is already nearing capacity. The Burundian government is urgently identifying additional land to expand refugee camps.

Medical care remains a critical concern, including treatment for the wounded and psychological support for trauma victims. There are also efforts to integrate refugee children into the education system, with plans to build additional classrooms.

Burundi is among several nations struggling with severe funding shortages for refugee assistance. Without immediate financial support, the crisis will deepen, putting thousands of vulnerable lives at risk.

Since the latest escalation in eastern DRC, over 85,000 people have fled to neighboring countries—compared to fewer than 7,000 in the first two months of 2024 alone.

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