UNICEF Burundi & Tanzania Flash Update No.1 (Burundian returnees), 2026

Highlights:

• The return of Burundian refugees from Tanzania is taking place within the framework of the Tripartite Agreement between the Governments of Burundi and Tanzania and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• As of 28 February 2026, Tanzania hosted approximately 101,917 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers, including about 50,000 refugees remaining in Nduta Refugee Camp and Nyarugusu Refugee Camp.
• Between 1 January and 21 March 2026, nearly 57,000 refugees (over 16,000 households) have returned to Burundi, with weekly arrivals ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 individuals (with a peak of close to 9,000 arrivals per week at the beginning of March), and projections indicating that around 5,000 returnees per week could continue through mid-2026.
• The transit centers are beyond their carrying capacities and basic services especially for WASH are compromised.
• UNICEF requires US$7.74 million over the next six months to support reception capacities, child protection, nutrition and access to essential services, while helping prevent additional strain on host communities and local systems.

Key Figures

~101,917 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers hosted in Tanzania

~50,000 refugees remaining in Nduta and Nyarugusu camps

5,000 returnees per week projected through mid-2026

~57,000 refugees returned between le 1 January and 21 March 2026

US$7.74 million UNICEF funding requirement (6 months)

Situation Overview

The return of Burundian refugees from Tanzania is taking place within the framework of the Tripartite Agreement between the Governments of Burundi and Tanzania and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which continues to coordinate the voluntary return process and operational arrangements on both sides of the border.

As of 28 February 2026, Tanzania hosted an estimated 101,917 Burundian refugees and asylum seekers. Around 50,000 Burundian refugees are remaining in Nduta and Nyarugusu camps in Tanzania, where the progressive closure of camps has accelerated the pace of returns.

Between 1 January and 17 March 2026, nearly 57,000 refugees (over 16,000 households) have already returned to Burundi. Current trends indicate weekly arrivals ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals (peaking at more than 9000 at the beginning of March), with projections suggesting that around 5000 returnees per week could continue through mid-2026 as camp closure deadlines approach (Closure of Nduta camp has been extended to 30 June 2026 and Nyarugusu camp will close on 30th June 2026).

In Burundi, reception and transit arrangements are being coordinated by the Government with the support of humanitarian partners, with arrivals currently processed through the main transit centres of Nyabitare II, Gihanga and Gitara before onward transfer to areas of return.

However, this rapid pace of returns is placing significant pressure on already fragile systems and limited infrastructure in reception and return areas. Health facilities, schools, water systems and child protection services in many provinces expected to receive returnees already face structural capacity constraints and limited resources. The situation is further compounded by multiple concurrent shocks, including the ongoing influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recurrent climatic shocks, and a fragile epidemiological situation affecting vulnerable populations.

At the same time, humanitarian partners on both sides of the border face significant financial constraints, limiting the ability to sustain reception services, support reintegration and respond simultaneously to other humanitarian needs. Without additional resources, the capacity to maintain essential services and absorb the scale of returns risks being overstretched, increasing pressure on host communities and basic social service systems.

In this context, UNICEF requires US$7.74 million over the next six months to support reception capacities, child protection, nutrition and access to essential services for returning children and families, while helping to stabilize basic services in high-return areas.