UNICEF Burundi Flash Update No. 3 (Refugee Response - Impact of DRC Crisis), 14 - 28 March 2025

Situation Update

• 69,978 people have crossed from DRC into Burundi since the beginning of 2025, fleeing the ongoing armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and an estimated 53% are children. Out of those, more than 60,000 people arrived after 14 February 2025. There are about 160,000 refugees and asylum seekers from DRC in Burundi.
• The situation remains very fluid, and as fighting continues in South Kivu, people continue to cross into Burundi. After a spike in new arrivals from 14 -16 February, the number of new arrivals has reduced to a flow of approximately 200-300 per day. People continue to enter primarily from informal entry points in Cibitoke Province - including via the Rusizi River.
• In Cibitoke Province, the majority of refugees were staying in the stadium at Rugombo commune. On 24 March, the stadium was emptied for security reasons due to the proximity with the border with DRC, and refugees were urged to transfer to the Musenyi refugee site. A total of 10,187 people have been relocated to the Musenyi site since the beginning of 2025. The site currently hosts a total of 13,223 people and could host up to 15,000 people. Additionally, 6,166 refugees are hosted in Cibitoke site and surroundings. While exact numbers are difficult to ascertain, it is estimated that several thousand people are staying within the host communities in Rugombo and Cibitoke communes. An additional site has been identified by the Government of Burundi in Bweru, Ruyigi Province.
• 987 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) have so far been identified by child protection partners among the new arrivals. Given the intensity of the conflict in DRC and its casualties on civilians, it is expected - yet to be assessed - that a significant number of children are victims of grave violations (such as sexual violence and forced recruitment).
• Suspected cholera cases have been reported in Cibitoke site and community and referred to the Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) located in Rugombo. 6 cholera cases have been notified in Cibitoke for the week 12 (16-23 March).
• UNICEF and partners conducted a joint child protection, health and WASH assessment mission to Musenyi refugee site from 20 to 21 March. Findings highlighted urgent needs and gaps including a lack of educational and socio-recreational opportunities for adolescents, insufficient healthcare staff and medicine, high risk of cholera outbreak, insufficient latrines and hygiene kits, a lack of alternative care options for UASC, a need to increase response services for SGBV survivors (an estimated 15% of recorded cases of SGBV were children), and insufficient mental health and psychosocial support services.
• UNHCR is leading the overall response; while UNICEF is co-lead of the Education, Health and Nutrition, and WASH sectors and the Child Protection sub-sector under the response coordination structure. UNICEF also co-leads the interagency working group on Accountability to Affected Populations.
• The interagency response plan has been finalized and is expected to be adopted and launched with the Government of Burundi early April 2025.