Refugees Influx to Burundi Starin WFP Food Assistance Program

March 26, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Since January 2025, nearly 70,000 people – mainly women, children, and the elderly – have fled fighting in DRC to Burundi, many making dangerous river crossings and walking long distances in search of safety.

The sharp increase in refugees seeking aid has strained WFP food assistance programs in Burundi. Since January 2025, nearly 70,000 people – mainly women, children, and the elderly – have fled fighting in DRC to Burundi, many making dangerous river crossings and walking long distances in search of safety.

More continue to arrive each day, adding to what is already the largest influx into Burundi in decades. Cross border movement into DRC’s other neighbours, including Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, is also increasing due to the escalating conflict in the country’s east and this threatens to worsen hunger across the region.

The number of refugees has doubled in just a few weeks, but funding has not kept pace. Our available resources are stretched beyond capacity, and we are being forced to adapt our operations and reduce rations to reach as many people as possible.”

Of the 70,000 people who have arrived in Burundi from DRC recently, 60,000 have been registered for food assistance, doubling WFP’s total refugee caseload to 120,000 in just a few weeks.

WFP is providing hot meals to the new Congolese refugees, who are housed in temporary transit camps, schools, churches, and sports stadiums.

Meanwhile, WFP’s existing refugees are receiving food rations – provided as a mix of in-kind food and cash. But to stretch limited resources, WFP was forced in March to reduce rations for existing refugees from 75 percent to 50 percent.

WFP currently only has the funds to sustain operations for 120,000 refugees through June. Without additional financial support, WFP will be forced to suspend food assistance entirely from July – or even earlier as refugee numbers continue to increase as the conflict in eastern DRC intensifies.