DR Congo Violence Drives Tens of Thousands to Burundi, Worsening Regional Hunger Crisis

Escalating Conflict Fuels Mass Displacement

Ongoing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that this conflict has pushed at least 35,000 people into neighboring Burundi, contributing to a broader regional hunger emergency. Since January 2025, various UN agencies, including UNHCR and WFP, indicate that the total number of Congolese refugees arriving in Burundi has surpassed 70,000, marking one of the largest influxes into the country in decades.

The conflict, particularly involving M23 militiamen and DRC government forces, has intensified across eastern DRC's provinces, including North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri. This has resulted in a staggering 7.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the DRC, with 5.2 million located in the eastern regions alone, including 1.6 million displaced this year. Many fleeing the violence have undertaken perilous journeys, including crossing the Rusizi River, often with minimal belongings.

Burundi's Humanitarian Capacity Stretched Thin

The sudden and massive influx of refugees has placed immense pressure on Burundi's already strained humanitarian resources. Camps and transit sites, such as Musenyi, are severely overcrowded, with some hosting more than double their intended capacity. Conditions in these sites are described as precarious, characterized by a critical lack of hygiene, shelter, water, and sanitation facilities, raising concerns about potential disease outbreaks.

The WFP's caseload of refugees requiring assistance in Burundi has doubled to 120,000. While the WFP has mobilized additional assistance, including providing hot meals to new arrivals, resources are stretched to their limit. Consequently, food rations for existing refugees have been reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent of the recommended daily calorie intake. The Burundian government has granted 'prima facie' refugee status to those fleeing the conflict, ensuring immediate protection, but the scale of the crisis overwhelms local capacities.

Deepening Hunger Crisis and Urgent Funding Appeals

The displacement crisis is unfolding amidst a severe and worsening hunger situation across the region. The DRC itself faces one of the world's largest hunger crises, with an estimated 26.6 million people experiencing crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity. In its eastern provinces, 3 million people are projected to face emergency levels of hunger in 2026.

Humanitarian organizations are struggling with significant funding shortfalls. The WFP has been forced to reduce the number of people it assists in the DRC from approximately 1 million to 600,000 due to insufficient funds. To continue delivering emergency food and nutrition assistance in the DRC over the next six months, the WFP urgently requires US$349 million. Similarly, for its operations in Burundi, the WFP needs US$19.8 million to maintain adequate support until the end of the year, warning that food assistance could be suspended as early as July without renewed funding. The UNHCR has also launched a $40.4 million appeal to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the DRC and its impact on neighboring countries.