Burundi — humanitarian situation

Burundi faces compounding humanitarian pressures from refugee influx, deteriorating food security among displaced populations, and heightened Ebola preparedness demands driven by the ongoing Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country hosts Congolese refugees who continue to arrive amid conflict and displacement in eastern DRC, adding to protection and assistance needs. Regional dashboards from May 2026 indicate sustained displacement dynamics across the East African Community, though specific figures for Burundi's refugee and IDP populations are not detailed in available reports (UNHCR). Food security conditions among Congolese refugees in Burundi have deteriorated according to post-distribution monitoring, coinciding with assistance delivery to over 860,000 people in May 2026 through 509 metric tons of food and $3.1 million in cash transfers (WFP). This programming occurs against a backdrop of Ebola preparedness activities, with Burundi identified as at high risk of disease importation due to proximity to outbreak zones in DRC and cross-border mobility patterns. Health screenings at borders and along key travel corridors form part of regional efforts that have exceeded one million screenings across affected and at-risk countries (IOM). Prepositioning of supplies including Safe and Dignified Burial kits has been undertaken in Burundi alongside Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan as part of a 2.9 million Swiss franc logistics operation (IFRC). Response activities face funding constraints, with the Government and partners including WHO reinforcing Ebola preparedness despite significant gaps (WFP). Family separation remains a critical protection concern, with more than 1.2 million people fleeing DRC in the past year, many arriving in Burundi and Uganda searching for missing relatives (ICRC). The convergence of displacement, food insecurity, and infectious disease risk presents operational challenges requiring sustained humanitarian attention and resources across health, protection, and basic needs sectors.