Burundi: One death and 34 cases of cholera in a refugee camp from Congo
Health authorities in Burundi have recorded a new cholera outbreak in the east of the country, with at least 34 confirmed cases and one death reported within the Busoma refugee camp. This alarming development further complicates the already dire humanitarian situation in the region, which is under immense pressure due to ongoing waves of displacement.
Details of the health situation in the camp
The Burundian Broadcasting Corporation (BR) reported that the infections were concentrated in the Busoma camp in the Kayungozi area of Bohomozha province. This camp is a major gathering point, hosting more than 21,000 refugees who fled security unrest in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The 34 cases were discovered during a field visit jointly organized by the provincial administration and the National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, aimed at assessing the living and health conditions of the camp's residents.
Severe shortage of basic services
In statements reflecting the gravity of the situation, Viacre Nkonzimana, representative of the National Office for Refugee Protection, emphasized that the situation inside the camp requires urgent intervention. He pointed out that the refugees are facing a severe shortage of basic humanitarian needs, primarily clean drinking water, safe shelter, food, and essential medicines to combat infectious diseases. The lack of potable water is the main reason behind the spread of cholera, a bacterial disease usually transmitted through contaminated water that leads to severe dehydration and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Background to the crisis and regional refugee challenges
This health crisis cannot be separated from the broader geopolitical and humanitarian context of the Great Lakes region. Burundi is receiving a continuous influx of refugees from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an area plagued for decades by armed conflict and insecurity. Burundian authorities have previously appealed to the international community for urgent assistance to help the more than 70,000 people who have arrived in the country since December 5, fleeing escalating violence.
Health risks and consequences
The cholera outbreak in refugee camps poses a significant challenge to health and humanitarian organizations due to overcrowding and the difficulty of maintaining hygiene standards amidst limited resources. There are concerns that a delayed response could lead to the epidemic spreading beyond the camps, threatening host communities and placing an additional burden on Burundi's already strained healthcare system. Calls continue for intensified international efforts to provide vaccines, water purification plants, and medical tents to contain the crisis before it worsens.
