At Least 40 Congolese Refugees Die from Cholera and Malnutrition in Gatumba

Gatumba, Burundi - December 18, 2025 - At least 40 Congolese refugees have died over ten days in the Gatumba transit camp due to cholera and malnutrition, amid severe shortages of drinking water, food, medicine, and survival supplies.

The deputy mayor of Uvira, Kifara Kapenda, himself a refugee in Bujumbura after the city fell to AFC/M23 forces, chaired a meeting with the Congolese diaspora to coordinate aid and urge urgent action from the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations.

Many of the refugees are women and children, living in overcrowded conditions that increase their vulnerability to disease. A crisis committee has been established to manage assistance and reduce mortality among the roughly 30,000 Congolese residents of Gatumba.