Mon May 26 11:41:40 UTC 2025: ## Burundi Refugee Camps Plagued by Shortages, Violence as Aid Dries Up
**Musenyi, Burundi** – Overcrowded refugee camps in Burundi, already struggling to support thousands fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are facing a worsening crisis as international aid dwindles, leading to food shortages and escalating violence.
The influx of refugees, triggered by the advance of the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC, has overwhelmed the limited resources in Burundi. The Musenyi camp, originally designed for 10,000 people, now houses nearly twice that number, straining available supplies to the breaking point.
“When I arrived, I was given 3.5kg of rice per month. Now it’s a kilo,” said Claude, a refugee from Uvira, DRC, who fled violence in February. He added that the drastically reduced rations are fueling desperation and leading to theft and violence within the camp.
Camp administrators confirm the severity of the situation. “The cut in food rations is a major challenge that could cause security disruption,” stated Oscar Niyibizi, the camp’s deputy administrator. He acknowledged the urgent need for external support but lamented the significant reduction in aid from key donors, including the United States.
The cuts in funding, initiated during the Trump administration and continued by other Western nations, have forced numerous NGOs and UN agencies to drastically scale back operations or close entirely. This comes at a particularly critical time as the conflict in DRC intensifies, leading to further displacement.
Geoffrey Kirenga, head of mission for Save the Children in Burundi, warned that the reduced aid has halted support services for survivors of sexual violence, a prevalent issue within the camps. He expressed his grave concern that “deaths from hunger” may become unavoidable.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has already halved rations since March and warns that all assistance could cease by November without renewed US funding. Faced with starvation, hundreds of Congolese refugees are reportedly risking their lives by returning to the dangerous conflict zone in DRC in search of food.
Burundi, already one of the world’s poorest countries, has received over 71,000 Congolese refugees since January, compounding the existing strain on its limited resources. The deteriorating conditions in the refugee camps highlight the urgent need for increased international assistance to prevent further suffering and potential loss of life.
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