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Current People in Need2.7 million
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Current People Targeted1.6 million
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Current Requirements (US$)$237.2 million
Analysis of the context, crisis and needs
Despite the relative improvement of the humanitarian situation in Burundi — from 2.3 million people in need in 2021 to 1.8 million in 2022 (a 21 per cent decrease) — the current number of vulnerable communities still requires a coordinated humanitarian response and more investment for durable solutions.
In 2023, about 1.5 million people will need humanitarian assistance, a 17 per cent decrease compared to 2022 (1.8 million people). The main causes of the population’s vulnerability include the impact of repeated shocks related to natural disasters, the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently the inflation of 19.6 per cent linked to the crisis in Ukraine, in a context where 53.1 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. The pressure of inflation is slowing down economic growth and directly impacting businesses across sectors. This is reducing job opportunities and access to basic social services for the population.
Due to these factors,1.4 million people are currently severely food insecure in Burundi. The rainfall deficit observed during the last quarter of 2022 compromises the agricultural production for 2023 and will likely worsen food insecurity.
Gatumba, Burundi
Children swim and fish in the floodwaters that cover a street.
OCHA/Camille MarquisBurundi continues to face population movements caused by the effects of floods and erratic rains as well as low socioeconomic opportunities. As of October 2022, 84,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were registered in the country. More than 80 per cent of these people have been displaced since January 2022 for reasons related to natural disasters. Coupled with the rising number of returnees (estimated at 204,000 people), this means that the situation remains dire for displaced people. Lack of access to basic services and limited assistance also render displaced people more vulnerable to exploitation and gender-based violence, increasing the burden on host communities. In Burundi, 69 per cent of repatriated children were not enrolled in schools in 2022 (against 50 per cent in 2021), and 63 per cent of repatriated people cannot afford access to health-care services. Sixty-one per cent of returnees eat just one meal a day, more than 73 per cent lack farming tools and many do not have access to land. Only durable solutions would prevent future displacements of people, including IDPs and returnees living in natural disaster-prone areas.
Muyinga, Burundi
Refugees from Burundi pass through the Transit Centre in Kinazi on their return home.
OCHA/Camille MarquisIn 2023, UNHCR planning figures indicate that 75,000 Burundian refugees are expected to return to Burundi and receive assistance through sustainable solutions. Moreover, due to the volatile security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNHCR estimates that 33,000 people will seek refuge in Burundi, joining 87,000 refugees and asylum-seekers already in the country.
In September 2022, an outbreak of Ebola Sudan Virus Disease was declared in Uganda — a country well connected to Burundi, with almost daily flights and numerous road connections. This presents an additional public health risk to recurrent outbreaks affecting the country.
In 2023, humanitarian partners will concentrate their operations on emergency needs, while supporting national authorities’ efforts to continue strengthening preparedness, early warning and the coordination of humanitarian and development interventions to significantly reduce the fragility of vulnerable communities.
Projected situation in 2023 and beyond
The rising prices and shortage of basic commodities, including food, fuel and fertilizer, will cause vulnerable households’ food insecurity to deteriorate if they are left without assistance.
New flows of forcibly displaced people linked to natural disasters, the continued arrival of returnees, and refugees and asylum-seekers fleeing insecurity in eastern DRC may be expected.
Ceru Hill, Kirundo Commune, Kirundo Province
Insufficient rainfall has led to a low production of corn.
OCHA/Camille MarquisResponse priorities in 2023
Humanitarian partners in Burundi have rigorously scrutinized the humanitarian context to prioritize the response to critical needs in 2023. As a result, 1.1 million of the most vulnerable people will be targeted for assistance. The humanitarian response will cover their needs in terms of food and essential non-food items, access to basic social services and protection through in-kind and cash interventions.
The response will prioritize the most vulnerable populations, particularly food insecure people, returnees and victims of natural disasters, including IDPs, and people affected by or at risk of epidemics and zoonoses. The priority areas of interventions will include the most impacted areas in Burundi’s northern, eastern and western provinces.
Humanitarian assistance in 2023 will be strongly linked to national programmes supported by local and international development partners to increase affected people’s resilience to climate shocks.
Burundi HRP
References
- ISTEBU, Enquête intégrée sur les conditions de vie des ménages, 2019-2020.