Burundi: Vulnerable refugees need our prayers

Written by Linda Digby 30 Jul 2015
Burundi: Vulnerable refugees need our prayers

Burundians living in refugee camps in neighbouring Rwanda are being recruited to join Rwandan rebel groups. Several people in Mahama refugee camp in Eastern Rwanda have reported being approached to join the group fighting the Burundi government. They said dozens of men had left the camp. Meanwhile in Tanzania, Burundi refugee facilities are at breaking point, and more refugees are expected to arrive as tensions spill over about the disputed presidential election. The UNHCR reported that 79,000+ Burundians have arrived in Tanzania since May. The UN estimates 500 Burundians fleeing unrest are now arriving in Tanzania every day. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that the Nyarugusu refugee camp is simply not coping with the number of new arrivals. Aid agencies are struggling to provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to those in need, with a promised second camp yet to be built. See also: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/burundi-refugees-lured-join-rebel-group-150724095201444.html

Additional Info