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What happened, where and when?
Since the occupation of Goma and Bukavu by armed groups and the continued insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi has experienced a growing inux of asylum seekers, particularly in Cibitoke Province. According to preliminary data from the Disaster Management Agency dated 17 February 2025, approximately 30,000 Congolese asylum seekers had arrived in Burundi, eeing violence and instability. These individuals were primarily sheltered in: Gihanga (Bubanza Province), Buganda – Kabuye site (Cibitoke Province), Rugombo – Cishemere site (Cibitoke Province). However, the numbers continued to increase rapidly. By 20 February, some sources estimated the total had surpassed 40,000, prompting urgent calls for partners to mobilize and coordinate their responses. On 19 February, during a coordination meeting with humanitarian actors, the Burundian government formally appealed for international support and established a national coordination commission to oversee the response to this growing humanitarian situation. This commission reects the government's commitment to ensuring immediate, organized, and inclusive assistance for the asylum seekers, encouraging all partners to contribute in line with their mandates. By 20 March 2025, a total of 39,429 Congolese refugees had been ocially received in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, broken down as follows: 5,336 men, 15,899 women, 11,653 girls and 6,541 boys. Estimates varied, with the government reporting over 43,000 arrivals, while UNHCR placed the gure at more than 60,000. Additionally, over 1,300 displaced Congolese had taken temporary refuge at the Makombe transit site in Rumonge Province. However, beginning on 21 March 2025, the government initiated the progressive closure of initial reception sites, including the one in Rugombo's chief town. This decision was primarily driven by concerns over the proximity of these sites to the DRC border, which was deemed a security risk. As a result, many asylum seekers were relocated to the Musenyi camp in Rutana Province, while others chose to return to their places of origin.