Thousands of Refugees Flee Conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Burundi
About 90,000 refugees have fled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Burundi, living in cramped camps with limited access to food and water. The Congolese M23 rebels captured the city of Uvira near the Burundi border and have said they withdrew afterward.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is treating around 200 refugees daily since arrivals began in the last two weeks and warns of risks including cholera, measles, and malaria. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says children and women, including pregnant women, are most affected, with some going days without food.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is increasing aid to more than 210,000 vulnerable people displaced by the Congo violence. About half a million have been displaced in South Kivu since December, including 71,000 new Congolese arrivals in Burundi who are receiving hot meals in transit centres. Urgent funding is being sought to support the displaced populations.
