Refugees in Burundi face alarming humanitarian needs

An estimated 65,000 people are staying in Busuma camp in Ruyigi, where they face a dire humanitarian situation, far below minimum standards, warns Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).  

“This is the largest influx of refugees in years,” says Carolina Lopez Led, MSF emergency coordinator. “In the newly established Busuma camp, which was set up on a hill, you can see thousands of tents lined up, one next to the other. We are very far from minimum standards in terms of access to water, food, and health care.”  

In response to these needs, MSF opened a clinic on January 3, mostly treating respiratory infections, malaria, diarrhea, and parasitic diseases. Our teams are also working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to provide logistical support and capacity building for health workers at a 47-bed cholera treatment center.  

In Makombe transit camp, on the border with DRC, MSF teams are organizing a distribution of jerrycans, mosquito nets, soap, and basic hygiene items for over 1,500 people.  

Water and hygiene access are a key challenge

People in Busuma camp can only access an estimated 2.5 liters of water per day — far from the 5 liters essential for survival and the 15 liters required to meet minimum humanitarian standards. On average, one latrine is available for every 98 people, which is half the minimum standard.

To help fill this gap, MSF is delivering 51,000 liters of water per day by tanker truck and planning more sustainable solutions to distribute larger quantities. But there is still a huge need to ensure vital hygiene for people and limit the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera.  

An urgent and coordinated response is critical in Burundi

In these extremely difficult living conditions, authorities have confirmed dozens of deaths. MSF is committed to improving access to essential health care and ensuring high-quality, free services for people in the camp to prevent further deaths.

"The massive influx of refugees took everyone by surprise,” says Lopez Led. “The authorities and humanitarian organizations are under pressure to respond to the needs as quickly as possible.”  

Without rapid support and sufficient funds, however, humanitarian organizations will not be able to cope with the magnitude of the needs, and the situation risks deteriorating rapidly.