Burundian refugees in DRC struggle as M23 attempt attacks to south kivu
Magara Bosco
February 23, 2025
Burundian refugees in Mulongwe Camp, located in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are struggling as fighting between government forces and M23 rebels worsens in the region.
Mulongwe Camp was set up in November 2017 to ease overcrowding at Lusenda Camp. It mainly shelters Burundian refugees who fled political repression in their country since 2015.
Now, these refugees live in constant fear, worrying that the violence might reach them. Their concerns have increased after the early departure of staff from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), whom they relied on for guidance in case of attacks.
One refugee expressed his fear, saying:
"We do not know what will happen to us now that even the UNHCR, which we depended on for instructions in case of an attack, has left early. We are worried about how secure our camp is."
In addition to security concerns, the refugees are also suffering from food shortages. They say they have not received any food supplies since November, meaning they have gone four months without food aid. This problem is made worse by restrictions from the National Commission for Refugees (CNR), which does not allow them to leave the camp to find work.
Another refugee shared his struggle:
"We last received food in November. You can understand how hard this situation is, especially since the CNR does not allow us to go outside the camp to work."
With the conflict in the region worsening, the refugees are urgently calling on UNHCR in Kinshasa to help address their security, food, and employment problems. Their already difficult situation is becoming even more uncertain as the crisis continues.
