UN Emergency Fund allocates US$3.5 million to ramp up refugee response in Burundi

“This timely and much-needed CERF funding will enable humanitarian partners in Burundi to rapidly scale up life-saving assistance for newly arrived refugees, stabilise overstretched reception areas, and respond immediately to the most urgent needs,” said Ms. Violet Kakyomya, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burundi.

More than 100,000 forcibly displaced persons including about 90.000 Congolese refugees and 10.000 Burundian refugees are now estimated to have fled to Burundi since 5 December, following escalating violence in South Kivu, according to– UNHCR, as of 3rd January 2026. Arrivals through multiple entry points continue, underscoring a rapidly deteriorating situation and the urgent need to scale up humanitarian assistance.

Refugees are arriving exhausted and, in some cases injured, and in urgent need of support. While commending the leadership and decision of the Government of Burundi to open it’s frontiers to refugees, grant prima facie status and relocate safely the refugees, the lifesaving assistance is much needed.

“While this allocation is critical to kick-start immediate life-saving assistance, additional resources are urgently required to close gaps in shelter, health, food, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection services, and to scale up cholera and other disease response efforts,” Ms. Kakyomya added.

The CERF funding will support humanitarian response activities in Busuma Refugee Camp, a newly established site in eastern Burundi, set up in December, to host thousands of refugees fleeing violence in the DRC. The camp faces urgent needs in water, shelter, food, and health services, with a recent cholera outbreak underscoring the critical living conditions and public health challenges on the ground.

On 17 December, the Government of Burundi declared a state of emergency and, together with UN agencies, launched a Joint UN Response Plan and Flash Appeal to address the growing influx of refugees. The UN Refugee Agency has launched a US$47.2 million appeal to assist 500,000 internally displaced people in the DRC and up to 166,000 refugees expected in Burundi, Rwanda, and other neighbouring countries over the next four months.