Meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Representative of the WFP in Burundi

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard BIZIMANA, granted an audience on October 2,
2025, to Mr. Jean-Noël GENTILE, Director and Resident Representative of the World Food Program (WFP) in Burundi.

The discussions focused on several issues of mutual interest, particularly the implementation of the Humanitarian Response Plan, which primarily aims at providing vital food assistance to vulnerable populations, especially refugees, returnees, and communities affected by climate shocks and conflicts.

The two personalities also addressed the issue of preparing for the return of Burundian refugees from the United Republic of Tanzania, humanitarian support for internally displaced persons due to climate hazards, as well as the modalities for sustaining the national school feeding program.

The Representative of the WFP also informed the Minister about the current funding situation of the organization, which may be subject to a global review. He further expressed the desire to strengthen WFP’s humanitarian assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, seeking the support and facilitation of the Burundian government in this regard.

His Excellency Ambassador Édouard BIZIMANA commended the interventions and initiatives of the WFP, while reiterating the Burundian government’s call to all its
development partners, inviting them to align and maintain their projects with the Vision 2040-2060. Regarding the request for facilitation, he assured that it would be forwarded to the relevant authorities for appropriate follow-up.