Photo credit: EEAS
In response to a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis, the European Union has allocated 200,000 euros in emergency humanitarian aid to support Congolese asylum seekers in Burundi.
European Union’s website reports that due to the ongoing armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many people have had to flee. Over 65,000 people have fled to Burundi, and, the number continues to rise daily. Most are escaping violence in the eastern DRC provinces of the North and South Kivu.
Many refugees face dire conditions, including overcrowded shelters and inadequate sanitation. The influx of refugees has further intensified existing challenges, putting additional strain on the local economy and infrastructure while exacerbating the already precarious living conditions of host communities.
The EU funding will bolster the efforts of the Burundi Red Cross Society in delivering much-needed relief including emergency shelter, essential relief supplies, clean water, healthcare and hygiene support. The project will also set up humanitarian service points at key entry locations and enhance protection and safeguarding measures for at-risk populations.
