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Appeal
Democratic Republic of Congo
Response to Burundian Refugee influx in DRC – COD151
Appeal Target: US$ 749,025
Balance Requested: US$ 665,525
Geneva, 9 July 2015
Since March 2015, socio-political tensions have been rising in Burundi ahead of the general elections initially scheduled for June, and later postponed to July. Tensions are increasing and the political landscape is marred by polarization, following the announcement that President Pierre Nkurunziza, in violation of the country’s constitution, is seeking a 3rd presidential term. Since the beginning of April, a steady outflow of Burundians has been taking place first into the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda) and now increasingly to the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and, to a lesser extent, to Uganda. As the situation in Burundi remains tense, unstable and largely unpredictable, it is expected that more Burundians will flee the country in even larger numbers.
Since the beginning of the crisis, DRC has been the destination of several thousands of Burundian refugees. While the number of people crossing into DRC is gradually decreasing, with approximately 10,590 refugees arriving in South Kivu province (as of the 26th of June), the unresolved situation in Burundi may prompt further waves of refugees to flee the country. As a result, the DRC government, in coordination with UNHCR, has allocated land to set up a transit camp in the territory of Fizi. On 1 June, the relocation of refugees from the transit camp in Lusenda started. UNHCR said its offices in neighbouring countries had noted a steady increase in arrivals of Burundian refugees in recent days (26 of June) with indications the exodus was likely to climb still higher. Additionally, the territories of Uvira, Fizi and areas in the Ruzizi Plain, close to the border with Burundi, are already affected by conflicts and the recent influx of Burundians into the Ruzizi Plain may exacerbate existing tensions.
The ACT DRC Forum will provide emergency assistance to Burundian refugees and host communities affected by the Burundi crisis in DRC, through the following members: ACT members Finn Church Aid (FCA), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Eglise du Christ au Congo National Office (ECC) and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Congo (EELCO).
For the full appeal document, please click here.
