Burundi

Overview

Burundi has been facing a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis since April 2015, after  President Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third term and the subsequent crackdown on opposition strongholds.?The economy declined significantly as a result of political instability, insecurity, and the suspension of fiscal  and foreign aid, which accounted for 48% of the national income in 2015.?Évariste Ndayishimiye, a member of the ruling party, won the 2020 election and was instated as president in June 2020, following the death of President Nkurunziza.?Some positive changes have taken place under the new Government, such as the resumption of fiscal and foreign aid after financial sanctions were lifted in June 2021.?On the other hand, human rights violations – including disappearances and torture by security forces and the ruling party’s youth league,  Imbonerakure – have continued. There are also significant restrictions on the freedom of the media and civil society.?

Insecurity and political persecution have led to international displacement, with nearly 331,000 Burundian refugees living in other countries as at April 2022.?Over 193,000 Burundians were assisted to return between September 2017 and April 2022, mostly from Tanzania. The interest in voluntary repatriation increased after the 2020 election. The number of returnees from January–August 2021 quadrupled compared to the same period in 2021.?Returnees, who are mostly subsistence farmers, are generally well received. 81% of returnees’ households have access to land, 95% have access to water, and 81% have access to healthcare. The majority, however, have difficulties accessing housing; many returnees find their previous homes uninhabitable. Only 50% of returnee children attend school.?

Over 122,400 Burundians are internally displaced, primarily because of natural disasters. 34% of them have been displaced for at least five years. The majority of IDPs have integrated with host populations, and only 6% reside in IDP camps.?

The economic crisis, widespread poverty, and climate-related factors are the main drivers of food insecurity. The protracted, complex crisis has left 1.8 million people in need.?

Latest Developments

No significant recent humanitarian developments. This crisis is being monitored by our analysis team.