GENEVA

The UN refugee agency on Friday issued an urgent appeal for $40.4 million to address the escalating humanitarian crisis resulting from ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As fighting intensifies in the eastern region, Burundi is witnessing a significant influx of refugees, with more than 9,000 people arriving in just one day, fleeing dire conditions across the border, Brigitte Mukanga-Eno, UNHCR representative in Burundi, told a UN press briefing in Geneva.

"Since (the beginning of) February, over 40,000 Congolese nationals – the majority women and children – have arrived in Burundi seeking international protection," Mukanga-Eno said, adding that many of these individuals are taking "greater risks to reach safety, using makeshift boats to cross the Rusizi River."

The refugees arriving in Burundi often come from regions previously devastated by conflict, including Goma, and many have been internally displaced multiple times, she said.

"Those arriving are mainly Congolese who were already internally displaced by previous conflicts, now forced to move once again by renewed clashes," she said.

According to Mukanga-Eno, UNHCR's teams on the ground have observed a disturbing rise in the number of unaccompanied minors among the new arrivals, many of whom have been separated from their families during their perilous journey.

The agency, she said, also welcomed the decision of the government of Burundi to grant prima facie refugee status to those escaping the conflict, allowing them immediate access to protection and humanitarian aid.

However, urgent needs remain, including shelter, food, sanitation, and medical care, she said.

"There is an urgent need for shelter, food and latrines as well as relocation of the new arrivals to other sites to address overcrowding," she highlighted, especially as measles cases have been reported amid overcrowded conditions.

In response to the crisis, UNHCR and local organizations are distributing essential supplies and meals to the newly arrived refugees, she said and added that plans are underway to relocate individuals to the Musenyi refugee site, which can accommodate up to 10,000 people, as the government seeks to establish additional sites to alleviate overcrowding.

UNHCR’s appeal also includes provisions for neighboring countries – besides Burundi – such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, as the agency anticipates a potential influx of up to 258,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees.

While movements to other neighboring countries have been smaller, with around 15,000 new arrivals in January, the situation remains precarious, Mukanga-Eno said, adding: "Without an urgent injection of funds, we risk a further deterioration as the crisis intensifies."