ReliefWeb

KEY FIGURES

386,833
New Burundian refugees in asylum countries since April 2015 as of 31 January 2017

FUNDING

USD 214.5 million
Requested by UNHCR for the overall Burundi Situation in 2017

HIGHLIGHTS

• Burundi: Over 22,000 Burundians fled the country to neighbouring countries in January alone. Besides the concerning human rights environment inside Burundi, the food security has deteriorated considerably.

• Tanzania: On 24 January 2017 the Government announced the lifting of the prima facie refugee recognition for Burundian refugees entering the country. The decision was officially published in the Government Gazette on 20 January 2017, meaning that all the asylum-seekers from Burundi who entered the country from 20th January 2017 should undergo Refugee Status Determination. In practice, the new procedure is not yet effective on the ground. UNHCR projects that the decision of the Government will have serious implications on the quality of refugee protection provided to Burundians fleeing to Tanzania.

• Rwanda: The new durable health centers were inaugurated on 26 January in Mahama, with a capacity to provide health care to over 50,000 Burundian refugees currently living in the camp as well as new arrivals.

• Democratic Republic of Congo: 627 Burundian refugees were relocated to Lusenda in January. Overcrowding represents a serious concern with all transit centers at their maximum capacity. 2,647 Burundians refugees are waiting to be transferred to the camp because of lack of shelters.