Burundi is facing an unprecedented refugee crisis as thousands of people flee the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over 63,000 refugees have crossed into Burundi, marking the largest influx in decades.
Most of these refugees are escaping violent clashes between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army. About 45,000 displaced individuals are currently living in an overcrowded stadium in Rugombo, a town just a few kilometers from the DRC border. The stadium, which was not designed to hold so many people, is now severely overcrowded, leaving no space for additional shelter.
Faith Kasina, the regional spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in East Africa, described the situation as “absolutely dire.” She emphasized that conditions are harsh, with the stadium overcrowded and no room for more refugees.
The ongoing violence in the DRC shows no signs of stopping, and the situation in Burundi is worsening. Local resources are stretched thin as humanitarian organizations race to provide food, water, and medical supplies to those in need. However, the number of displaced people continues to rise, putting immense pressure on the country’s infrastructure.
The international community is urged to provide urgent support to Burundi, which is doing its best to assist the growing number of refugees fleeing conflict.