Durable Solutions for the Burundian Refugee Crisis in the Great Lakes Region

Introduction

Since 2015, the Great Lakes Region has been facing a persistent refugee crisis stemming from political unrest and instability in Burundi. Over 250 000 Burundian refugees are hosted in neighboring countries, primarily the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, where local communities already face significant challenges in providing adequate services and infrastructure. Despite gradual improvements in Burundi’s political situation, the scale of voluntary returns remains limited, and reintegration support for returnees is often inadequate.

In response to this ongoing displacement, the European Union has launched a regional initiative to support the voluntary and dignified return of Burundian refugees, while strengthening local integration  in neighboring countries. The project targets Burundi as the country of origin and the main countries of asylum: DRC, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.  It aligns with the EU’s priorities under the NDICI–Global Europe programme, addressing forced displacement through a coordinated regional approach and the Renewed European Union Great Lakes Strategy.

The project’s core activities include facilitating voluntary repatriation, enhancing  access to basic services (such as healthcare, education, shelter, and legal documentation), supporting socio-economic integration through livelihoods and skills development, but also community-based support and social cohesion programmes. It also aims to strengthen national and regional coordination frameworks (such as the Tripartite commissions), enabling governments and local actors to plan and deliver durable solutions more effectively. By doing so, the initiative not only addresses immediate humanitarian needs but also contributes to long-term stability, regional cooperation, and the prevention of future forced displacement.

Scope and objectives

The Burundian refugee crisis remains protracted, with limited returns and insufficient reintegration efforts. Regional coordination is weak, and both refugees and host communities face fragile conditions, insufficient services, and limited livelihood opportunities.

This action responds to this through the following actions:

• Facilitating the voluntary and dignified return of Burundian refugees.
• Supporting the socio-economic reintegration of refugees, returnees and host communities.
• Enhancing access to basic services (healthcare, education, legal assistance, housing) for refugees and returnees.
• Improving local governance and institutional capacities to manage integration and displacement.
• Strengthening regional and national coordination mechanisms among DRC, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.
• Promoting community-based interventions to reinforce resilience and social cohesion in affected areas.

Results

Key programme results from 2024: 

In Burundi:

• The protection and resilience of 18 102 Burundian returnees has improved.
• The operational plan for the reintegration of returnees and IDPs in Burundi has been elaborated.

In the DRC:

• The economic empowerment of Burundian refugee women in South Kivu has improved.
• A mechanism for resolving problems and conflicts in South Kivu between host communities and refugees has been established and their leadership for social cohesion has been strengthened.
• The prevention, detection and response to GBV in the Lusenda and Mulongwe camps have been strengthened, while refugee communities have been empowered in the protection of their rights.
• Access to drinking water (from 12 to 15 liters per person per day) and sanitation facilities in the Mulongwe camp has increased, h improving hygiene, reducing the risks of contamination (in an area endemic for cholera),  strengthening security, and restoring human dignity.

In Rwanda

• Refugees and members of the host community were trianed on entrepreneurship and solidarity groups in Mahama Camp: 313 members were trained (166 women and 147 men), as well as 271 refugees (229 women and42 men).
• Microproject promoters have been supported in developing business plans in Mahama Camp: 14 microprojects comprising 185 members, including 100 women and 85 men, have already been developed and are currently being analysed.

In Tanzania:

• Access to basic social services and protection for refugees in the Nduta and Nyaruguru camps (Tanzania) has improved, as well as availability of civil documentation for refugees who have requested support to return to Burundi.
• The Tripartite Commission Meeting between Burundi, Tanzania, and the UNHCR took place in December 2024.

In Uganda:

• The Voluntary Repatriation (VolRep) programme organised 10 convoys in Uganda, enabling the voluntary repatriation of 2 248 Burundian refugees from the Nakivale and Kyaka settlements, progress toward the annual target of 2 500 returnees.
• More than 10 000 Burundian refugees in Uganda participated in community sensitisation sessions, and 11 473 individuals received information materials in Kirundi, French, and English to ensure informed decision-making about return to Burundi.
• Border management capacity was strengthened through the training of 144 Ugandan border officials, improving their ability to handle repatriation in line with international protection standards. 

At regional level:

A Regional Advisory Group (RAG) has been established and a roadmap has been adopted, for the development of the ICGLR Sustainable Solutions Strategy.

About the project

To implement this action, the European Commission relies on a strong network of diverse partners, including non-governmental organisations, EU MS development agencies, and UN agencies.

Implementing Partners

At national level:

• IRC in Burundi, Tanzania, DRC
• DRC in Burundi and Tanzania
• Terre des hommes, JRS, GVC-WW, AVSI, ICCA and AFRABU in Burundi
• UNHCR in Burundi, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda
• GIZ in Rwanda
• Maison Shalom in Rwanda

At regional level:

• ReDSS
• UNHCR

Funding instrument

NDICI – Global Europe

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