Cholera and Hunger Claim Lives of Dozens of Congolese Refugees in Burundi

More than 40 Congolese refugees who fled renewed fighting in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have died in the Gatumba makeshift camp in Burundi, according to local Congolese officials.

On December 18, 2025, Kifara Kapenda, the Vice Mayor of Uvira and himself among the refugees in Burundi, told Congolese nationals living in the country that the deaths were caused by cholera, exacerbated by pollution and hunger.

Speaking to Radio Okapi, Kapenda said that eight people died on December 18 alone, while five others died the previous day. “In total, in just 10 days, more than 40 people have died due to cholera and hunger,” he stated.

Kapenda explained that the Gatumba temporary camp alone is hosting approximately 30,000 Congolese refugees, a situation he described as critical. He appealed to the DRC government and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to prevent further loss of life.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that between December 5 and 16, more than 82,000 Congolese refugees crossed into Burundi, fleeing violence in areas including Kamanyola, Luvungi, Katogota, and the city of Uvira.

According to UNHCR, the refugees are currently sheltering in temporary camps near the border, notably Kansega, Gatumba, Cishemere, Makombe, Vugizo, Rumonge, and Magara. The Burundian government has acknowledged that the number of refugees hosted in these camps has far exceeded their capacity, raising concerns over worsening humanitarian and health conditions.