WFP seeks over $30 million to sustain food aid for Congolese refugees in Burundi
The World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently seeking more than $30 million to continue providing food assistance to approximately 33,000 Congolese refugees in Burundi. Without additional funding, food supplies could be depleted as early as October 2026. Despite partial funding and government support, the WFP warns that aid can only be sustained for a few more months, with refugees currently receiving about $12 per person monthly.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · mis à jour le (v2)
The World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently seeking over $30 million to maintain food assistance for Congolese refugees in Burundi, warning that supplies could run out as early as October 2026 without additional funding.
The WFP announced on July 24 that it may struggle to sustain food and nutrition assistance through August 2027. Partial funding from donors and support from the Burundian government have temporarily averted a sudden interruption.
Jean de Lestrange, WFP partnerships and communications officer, said the additional support would allow assistance to continue for only a few more months. The agency estimates it needs about $5 million monthly to assist refugees across Burundi, including $1 million for the Busuma camp in the east.
Currently, Congolese refugees receive approximately 38,000 Burundian francs ($12) per person each month. Refugee Nayonde Mbirizi described the aid as insufficient, noting that deteriorating tents and strong winds add to their hardships.
The Busuma camp, established in December 2025, hosts around 33,000 Congolese refugees. UNHCR reports that 22,463 refugees have returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo so far.
A delegation from the European Union, Switzerland, and ECHO recently visited Busuma to assess conditions.
Mise à jour, 9 Oct 2026, 13h42 (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) : The latest source from October 9, 2026, reiterates the WFP's urgent funding appeal and confirms the ongoing risk of food aid depletion, consistent with previous reports from July and October 8, 2026.