The number of desperate refugees fleeing conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and seeking security in Burundi is putting great pressure on aid agencies struggling to deal with the crisis escalating amid declining resources.
“We are pushed to our limits,” said Ito Ito, director of emergency at UNHCR’s UN refugee agency.
One mother was so desperate to reach safety that she crossed the 100-meter wide Lusiji River, separating the DRC and Burundi from her three small children and her belongings, Ito told Genest.
“I saw this plastic seat ball – it’s one mother and three little kids – she puts her belongings down, wraps them in plastic sheets, and lets them float… It’s a very dangerous journey and I was told it was full of crocodiles and Hippos.”
Overloaded resources
Since January, more than 71,000 people have moved to Burundi to escape ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, UNHCR data shows. Since then, more than 12,300 people have been moved to the Musenyi refugee site, while others have lived with host communities in the border area.
Living Conditions of Musenyi – 5 hours drive from the DRC border – is now unsustainable.
The site today houses 16,000 people, but is designed for 3,000 people, creating tensions. “The food items have already been cut in half what they are supposed to be,” Ito explained, warning that even these rations will run out of additional funds by the end of June.
However, food is far from the only concern as emergency tents installed in low-lying agricultural areas are flooded during the start of the rainy season.
Aid teams are already supporting themselves as the illness surges.
“Schools, clinics, basic hygiene systems either do not exist or overwhelmed,” said the UN agency without a dignity kit, allowing nearly 11,000 women and girls to access basic hygiene items.
Reducing the funding crisis
The UNHCR funding crisis has also “significantly reduced” support for family tracing, making it increasingly difficult to identify, find and reunite children as families.
Currently, there are no child-friendly or women-friendly spaces where groups can gather in major hosting areas for service and peer support, Ito added.
Facing the devastating living conditions in Burundi and the ongoing violent clashes in the eastern DRC between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and government forces, refugees often travel between the two countries. “Nearly half of the 700 registered refugees registered last week were previously registered in Burundi,” a UN official said, noting that Congolese refugees are one of the most vulnerable people in the world.
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Citing reduced resources and operational challenges, the UN agency argued that the provision of life-saving assistance and protective services remains a priority. This includes additional support amid a 60% increase in reported sexual violence cases. This involves the rape of DRC.
“This balanced behavior is becoming increasingly impossible, with ground teams facing pressure to reduce operations due to lack of funding while implementing full-scale emergency responses, meeting the needs of existing refugees in the country and preparing for future arrivals,” Ito said.
