Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Community Development and Public Security met with the Heads of diplomatic missions and Representatives of Technical and Financial Partners, on Wednesday 17 December 2025 with a view to launching the Inter-agency response plan funding to assist Congolese refugees and Burundians returnees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In his welcoming address, His Excellency Ambassador Edouard BIZMANA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, indicated that following recent violent clashes in South Kivu, particularly around Uvira , Luvungi and Sange , a significant influx of refugees has occurred in Burundi since December 5, 2025 , and the situation of nearly 80,000 refugees is currently deteriorating, and the pressure on Burundi’s resources is increasing. This situation requires urgent intervention. Minister Bizimana has therefore urged international organizations and humanitarian actors to intervene and provide support to these people in distress.
In his address, Honorable Léonidas Ndaruzaniye , Minister of Home Affairs, Community Development, and Public Security, stated that the influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which began on December 6, 2025, represents a considerable pressure on existing infrastructure. He indicated that the refugee site, as well as transit centers and former refugee camps, have exceeded their capacity, both in terms of infrastructure and logistics. The estimated arrival of nearly 80,000 people through various points of entry, including 76,015 Congolese and 8,000 Burundians of December 16, 2025, comes on top of the arrivals expected in February 2025, for which a $76.5 million funding appeal was launched. This situation might affect not only the quality of services provided but also the safety of the individuals involved and the surrounding communities. It should be noted that the total inter-agency financial requirements amount to US$33.1 million.
He specified that concrete actions are being implemented by the Government of the Republic of Burundi, in collaboration with partners in general, and UNHCR in particular by providing essential relief, as well as their identification in transit centers in Kansega , Vugizo , Gatumba , Magara , Stade Rumonge , Cishemere and Makombe.
The Government of Burundi recognizes that refugees deserve relevant humanitarian treatment and has reported that it has worked in collaboration with key partners, notably the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to provide essential assistance such as protection, land for shelter construction, transportation, and emergency relief to ensure the well-being of these displaced persons. This evidences the Government of Burundi’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced by refugees hosted in Burundi.
It is worth emphasizing that the Bweru site was chosen as a priority relocation site in order to relieve congestion in border areas and transit centers, and to ensure differentiated management of asylum seeker flows.