Reference :
V-P-BI-E-00281
Date :
02/03/2026
Caption :
Southern Burundi, Burunga province, Musenyi, a refugee camp hosting people from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chibalonza Lony, a 30-year-old Congolese refugee, lives in the camp with her children, Espoir, Raphael, Neema, and Dieume.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
On February 15, 2025, Chibalonza was at the market early in the morning, trading goats, when she suddenly heard gunshots in the distance. Panicked, she rushed home to gather her children and flee Kamanyola. In their desperate escape, they crossed the Ruzizi River and eventually found refuge in a transit camp in Burundi. For many months, Chibalonza lived in anguish, separated from her husband and parents. It was only in December 2025, with the support of the ICRC, that she was finally able to contact her husband. She began the necessary procedures to help him register and join her soon.
Chibalonza voices her frustration with the difficult conditions and the limited financial support provided to refugees. "On February 9, we received 38,000 Burundian francs per person for the month. For me and my four children, that’s 190,000 francs. But charcoal costs around 40,000 francs, beans cost 3,500 francs per kilo, flour costs 3,000 francs, and rice costs 7,000 francs per kilo." She goes on to describe the daily challenges she faces in providing for her family. With such a modest amount, it is nearly impossible to make ends meet.
Despite everything, Chibalonza remains hopeful. She firmly states that if the option of voluntary repatriation were available, she wouldn’t hesitate for a moment. "There’s nothing for us here. We’ve had to sell all our belongings, one by one, just to buy food. We want to go home. Even if there’s war, we’d rather go home because we don’t want to die of hunger here."
Those around her nod in agreement, sharing her sentiments. However, some express concerns about returning home without knowing if they still have a house to go back to.
Chibalonza also highlights that the situation in the camp is worsening due to the constant influx of new arrivals, which is further straining the already dire living conditions.
"Recently, someone cut the tarp of our tent and tried to steal our belongings," she says, visibly worried.
Despite the challenges, Chibalonza continues to fight for her children, holding on to the hope of better days and the possibility of returning to her homeland.
Since early 2025, clashes have intensified in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displacing hundreds of thousands of people across the region. Tens of thousands have fled to Burundi, where more than 80,000 Congolese refugees are seeking safety in overcrowded camps such as Busuma, Musenyi and Cishemere. This sudden influx has placed significant pressure on Burundi’s limited resources. The ICRC is working in collaboration with the Burundi Red Cross to provide essential humanitarian services, such as water trucking and disinfection operations. Together, they are also striving to reunite families separated by the conflict by helping them restore contact with their loved ones.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
8448x6336
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
