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Add to Preferred SourcesUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and 35 partners are jointly appealing for US$296 million to provide desperately needed aid in 2019 to some 345,000 Burundian refugees in neighboring countries.
Burundi is one of the most neglected refugee situations globally. And measurably so; In 2018 it was among the world’s least-funded.
The consequences of this are being felt across the board by Burundian refugees in four neighboring countries, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda. People are enduring cuts to food rations, lack of medicines, overcrowded schools and inadequate shelter. Despite the best efforts of all, a massive increase in support is needed to adequately provide for even the most basic needs.
In light of policies in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, that allow refugees to work and own businesses, a key objective is to help generate economic opportunities that will allow them to purchase supplementary food and make a living for themselves.
While overall security has improved in Burundi, significant human rights concerns persist. Around 57,000 refugees have returned to Burundi since mid-2017, citing the wish to return to their houses and farms, and to reunite with family. Other returnees believe that conditions at home, no matter how challenging, will be an improvement on the situation they experienced as refugees.
UNHCR does not believe conditions in Burundi are currently conducive to promote returns, however, we are assisting refugees who indicate they have made an informed choice to voluntarily return. We urge States to ensure that no refugee is returned to Burundi against their will. As more refugees are expected to voluntarily return during 2019, the appeal includes funding to assist and reintegrate returnees.
In the meantime, an average of 300 refugees still flee Burundi each month, and UNHCR urges governments in the region to maintain open borders and access to asylum for those who need it.
Last year, the inter-agency regional refugee response for Burundian refugees received just 35 percent of the US$391 million requested. UNHCR urges the international community to accelerate and increase funding for this year’s appeal to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance and meet basic needs.
Original source: UNHCR
Published on 15 January 2019