Nearly 125,000 refugees in Burundi risk losing life-saving food assistance from January 2027 unless more money is found, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned. Most have fled persistent conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in search of food and safety.
Contributions from the United States and Belgium prevented a break in assistance that had been expected in October and will keep aid going until the end of 2026, WFP said. Without new funding it will have to halt food assistance to refugees in Burundi from January.
"Most refugees in Burundi rely on WFP assistance as their main source of food. Continued insecurity prevents many from returning home safely, while limited livelihood opportunities make it difficult to earn an income and support their families," said Arduino Mangoni, WFP's acting country director in Burundi.
WFP needs $40 million to avoid an interruption and to raise support from 45 percent to 100 percent of minimum food needs for the refugees through September 2027. A further $1 million is needed for school meals for 16,000 children from refugee and host communities in schools around the camps.
Alongside food aid, WFP is working with the Government of Burundi, UNHCR and other partners to widen refugees' access to livelihoods, social protection and the local economy, so that they become more self-reliant while host communities are supported.
Photo: Dave Proffer / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Source: WFP
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