World Food Programme seeks $30m for Congolese refugees in Burundi

The World Food Programme (WFP) is requesting more than $30 million in urgent funding to sustain food assistance for Congolese refugees living in Burundi. The organization warned on July 24 that without an immediate infusion of donor support, existing food supplies could be completely depleted by October 2026. This appeal comes as the agency struggles to maintain a consistent pipeline of aid for thousands of displaced persons who depend on these rations for their basic survival.

The WFP aims to use the requested funds to secure food supplies and manage logistics through August 2027. While some recent contributions from the Burundian government and international donors have helped prevent an immediate interruption of aid, the agency stressed that these are only temporary measures. The current shortfall represents a significant threat to the long-term food security of the refugee population, which has faced ongoing challenges due to regional instability and limited resources.

Burundi currently hosts a substantial number of refugees who have fled conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The WFP emphasized that a failure to secure the necessary $30 million would create a humanitarian crisis, potentially leading to increased malnutrition and social tension within host communities. As humanitarian budgets face growing pressure globally, the organization is calling on international partners to prioritize the needs of these vulnerable populations to ensure regional stability.