Over 50 Congolese refugees die in Burundi amid worsening humanitarian crisis, U.N. says

The U.N. refugee agency said 53 Congolese refugees have died in Burundi from cholera, malnutrition and related causes as tens of thousands flee violence.

More than 50 Congolese refugees have died in Burundi, the World Health Organization told Reuters on Saturday, January 10. These individuals had fled eastern Congo due to ongoing armed conflict and instability.

According to the WHO report, 25 of the refugees succumbed to cholera, while six died from anemia and several others from severe malnutrition. The humanitarian situation in the refugee camps remains dire, with limited access to clean water and medical supplies.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that over 100,000 Congolese refugees have crossed into Burundi since early December, following a surge in violence near the border and the capture of the city of Uvira by rebel forces. This influx has placed immense pressure on Burundi’s small and resource-limited health and aid infrastructure.

Burundi, a small East African nation bordering Congo, has historically hosted refugees from neighboring conflicts, including from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. International aid agencies have repeatedly warned that regional instability could exacerbate public health crises in refugee settlements.

Local officials in Uvira province, including Governor Jean Jacques Porosi, described the situation in Burundi as a “nightmare” and a crisis that has largely been ignored by the international community. Humanitarian workers report that overcrowded camps and poor sanitation are fueling disease outbreaks.

The WHO and other aid organizations have called for urgent international assistance to address the cholera outbreak and prevent further deaths among vulnerable refugee populations. Immediate interventions, including food, clean water, and medical support, are critical to stabilize the situation.

Without prompt aid and international attention, the health and safety of Congolese refugees in Burundi could deteriorate further, raising urgent concerns about the need for sustained humanitarian support and long-term solutions to the crisis.

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