Escalation Eastern Congo

Testimony by Saskia Beerts, Project Manager in Burundi for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders about her visit to refugee camps in Burundi. 

"So many vulnerable people in dire circumstances, and so few resources to help them. It's improvising, but we do what we can"

Saskia Beerts works as a Project Manager in Burundi where she monitors the humanitarian and development projects of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders . In recent weeks, she saw up close how thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crossed the border into Burundi. 

Since the escalation in the region around Bukavu about two weeks ago now, more than 50,000 people have already arrived in Burundi. Most are crossing the border via the Rusizi River, often risking their lives. Some, unfortunately, do not make it across.

On Feb. 21, Saskia visited some refugee camps in Cibitoke, a province in northwestern Burundi, where 50,000 people are already sheltered. She saw how Burundi Red Cross volunteers were trying to help under difficult circumstances.

"The situation is dire. There is a huge shortage of tents, food, potable water and sanitation. Volunteers are doing their utmost, but the needs exceed the capacity of the Red Cross and other relief organizations," Saskia says.

Volunteers at work

Pamphille was one of the first volunteers on site at the Stade de Rugombo, a sports field now hosting more than 10,000 people. He helped set up the only 100 tents available, but that's not nearly enough. That's why the most vulnerable - children under five, pregnant , breastfeeding women and people with disabilities - are given priority. Meanwhile, 70 volunteers are constantly on hand. They disinfect the site, raise awareness about hygiene and help prevent the spread of diseases such as cholera and mpox.

Clément, another volunteer, is committed to Restoring Family Links (RFL). He helps people who lost contact with loved ones - family members who are in another camp or still in the DRC. "I helped a mother who had lost her child on the road. Fortunately, it was found at the camp in Gihanga. She immediately left there to be back with her child," he says.

Your help is urgently needed

The situation in the camps is dire. More tents, food, potable water, toilets and showers are urgently needed. People are arriving without anything. They have no food with them and there are not enough tents for everyone. There is a need for appropriate sanitation facilities to stop the spread of diseases like cholera and mpox.

You can help too? Support via BE53 0000 0000 5353 with the mention"Congo".

Read more about Saskia's experience in the VRT NWS article: Saskia works for Red Cross in Burundi and sees refugees arriving from Congo: "It's improvising" | VRT NWS: news.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we are actively supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Congolese Red Cross by providing 100,000 euros for their relief efforts and support for medical infrastructure, provision of shelter, potable water and other basic services. They work there under extremely difficult conditions. Hospitals are overcrowded and essential electricity and water infrastructure damaged. Because of the fighting, family members also become separated. The Red Cross is trying to re-establish these contacts and inform relatives about their loved ones. 

In Rwanda, we were able to release funds into our structural projects, thanks to the support of the federal government. Together with the Rwandan Red Cross, we provided shelter to refugees crossing the border. A total of 102 volunteers were deployed to support operations, including distributing essential goods, providing basic sanitation and psychosocial support. Emergency medical transport and first-aid services were available day and night. The Red Cross of Rwanda actively participated in the command post for effective communication with other humanitarian actors and authorities. 

New needs are arising in Burundi as thousands of Congolese are crossing the border into Burundi in search of safety. The Burundi Red Cross was the first actor on the ground and was already able to set up three sites to receive these people. Some 15,000 volunteers are active in these provinces, distributing potable water, food and other essential goods. They also provide first aid and psychosocial support to best support these people. 

Ongoing violence in the region around Bukavu, eastern Congo, has thousands of people crossing the border into Burundi.  

The Burundi Red Cross is doing all it can to shelter people and provide them with food and drink. However, the needs are immense and growing every day as more people continue to cross the border. The 15,000 volunteers of the Burundi Red Cross are doing everything possible to accommodate these people with the limited resources available. However, the existing camps cannot handle this influx.

"I am worried," says colleague Saskia Beerts, who works as Project Manager in Burundi. "My colleagues on the ground are doing everything they can to accommodate the people, but there are just not enough resources. The Burundi Red Cross has thousands of volunteers working hard, but with 350 tents and 2,000 blankets, they don't have enough comfort for all the Congolese refugees. The greatest needs are food, potable water, shelter and medical support." says Flemish Saskia Beerts, who is active in Burundi for Belgian Red Cross-Flanders for structural projects.

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is looking at how it can work with them to provide maximum support to those on the run.