A Sudden Humanitarian Crisis
In December 2025, a sudden escalation of violent conflict between the M23 movement and the central government in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forced an estimated 74,900 civilians to flee their homes. Seeking safety, families poured across the border into Burundi, initially scattering across multiple overcrowded transit sites before being rapidly relocated to the Busuma site in Buhumuza Province.
The rapid influx triggered an acute humanitarian emergency. Families—of which women and children comprised nearly 90%—arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs, facing a severe shortage of food, shelter, healthcare, and safe sanitation facilities.
ADRA Burundi Steps In
In rapid response to the crisis and in coordination with the UNHCR, ADRA Burundi launched a targeted two-week emergency intervention from January 19 to 30, 2026. The mission was clear: mitigate the health risks of waterborne illnesses, improve sanitation, and restore basic human dignity.
“We were quite torn before this. We are truly grateful for the clean water storage kits and washing soap you just gave us.” — Saidi Mitela, Busuma Site Beneficiary
Through strategic inter-agency collaboration with partners like World Vision, ONPRA, Tearfund, Terre des Hommes, and local NGOs, ADRA successfully met the rigorous international Sphere and UNHCR standards to supply 2,000 vulnerable households with essential items.
| Items Prepared & Distributed | Quantity | Standard Alignment & Target Audience |
| Jerrycans (20L) | 2,000 | Distributed fairly according to household size. |
| Soaps (250g) | 19,998 | Critical hygiene resource to prevent disease outbreaks. |
| Buckets (10L) | 2,000 | Double-allocated to match UNHCR metric guidelines. |
| Specialized Basins (20L) | 1,000 | Distributed to 575 unique beneficiaries (teenage girls and pregnant women) as part of custom Dignity and Newborn Care Kits. |
Transparency and Accountability in Action
To ensure aid reached those who needed it most without duplication, ADRA Burundi utilized pre-existing UNHCR identification data and actively involved refugee committee leaders in the distribution chain. Assisted by local authorities and volunteer refugee monitors, the process was completed peacefully, transparently, and safely.
The Path Forward: A Call for Long-Term Solutions
While this emergency distribution provided immediate, life-saving relief, the massive population surge continues to put immense pressure on local resources. Fleeing families are still sleeping on the cold ground in makeshift conditions, exposing children to the elements and rising health risks.
Refugees like Vumilia Maonesho are echoing the plea of thousands: “We are surviving without a place to sleep. Please provide us with mattresses, food, and shelters.”
ADRA Burundi remains committed to these families. Looking ahead, our long-term strategy shifts toward building durable latrine infrastructure, establishing permanent water supply systems within the Busuma site, and maintaining robust community feedback channels to continue standing with the people of the DRC.
How You Can Help: ADRA’s emergency funds allow us to pivot instantly when crises strike. Consider partnering with us to scale up long-term shelter and WASH infrastructure in Burundi.
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