Maurice Azonnankpo, the representative of the Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), visited the Lusenda refugee camp on September 22, 2026, on Tuesday, to address concerns from Burundian refugees. The delegation led by Maurice Azonnankpo arrived at the Lusenda refugee camp on September 22, 2026, to engage directly with the camp's inhabitants and assess their pressing needs. During his visit, Maurice Azonnankpo stated that he would "examine, with his colleagues, the different concerns presented during the meeting to identify problems that can be addressed." He also urged refugees "not to get involved in political issues or armed groups, insisting on the need to preserve the humanitarian character of the camp." His remarks showed the HCR's commitment to finding solutions while maintaining the neutrality and safety of the refugee settlement.
Dire Conditions in Lusenda Camp
Refugees in Lusenda camp have reported a complete cessation of food aid from the World Food Programme (WFP) for over two years. This critical issue was a central point of discussion during the HCR representative's visit. The absence of this critical assistance has exacerbated living conditions for the camp's inhabitants, leading to widespread food insecurity among the Burundian refugee population. Residents also cited a persistent shortage of essential medicines and significant difficulties in accessing healthcare services, further compounding their hardships. The lack of adequate medical supplies and accessible health facilities poses a serious threat to the well-being of the camp's vulnerable residents.
Beyond immediate health and sustenance concerns, the refugees noted challenges to children's education. They stated that educational programs within the camp are suffering from insufficient support, impacting the learning opportunities for younger generations. This insufficient support for education threatens the future prospects of thousands of children, depriving them of the stability and development that schooling provides. These combined issues contribute to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the camp, prompting urgent calls for intervention from international bodies.
Security and Discrimination Concerns
Women refugees living in Lusenda camp face significant security risks when they leave the camp to collect firewood or work in fields, according to reports from residents. These women often encounter armed men in the surrounding areas, raising concerns about their safety and well-being. The camp's inhabitants have expressed that such encounters contribute to a climate of fear and vulnerability outside the camp's immediate confines. These security threats are a constant source of anxiety for families, limiting their ability to access vital resources and engage in livelihood activities safely.
Refugees in Lusenda also raised the issue of ethnic discrimination. They reported experiencing bias based on their ethnicity, adding another layer of difficulty to their already challenging circumstances. This discrimination contributes to their overall hardship within the camp and in interactions with the host community, making integration and daily life more arduous. Such experiences of prejudice deepen the sense of isolation and marginalization felt by many refugees.
UNHCR Response and Refugee Population
The Lusenda refugee camp, located in the Fizi territory of South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was visited by Maurice Azonnankpo, the representative of the Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies pour les réfugiés (HCR). Representatives from the Bureau de la coordination des affaires humanitaires (OCHA) and the Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD) accompanied Mr. Azonnankpo during his visit, forming a joint delegation to assess the situation. He stated that he would "examine, with his colleagues, the different concerns presented during the meeting to identify problems that can be addressed." Mr. Azonnankpo also urged refugees "not to get involved in political issues or armed groups, insisting on the need to preserve the humanitarian character of the camp." The degradation of living conditions in the camp has prompted several refugees to return to Burundi, a difficult decision often made out of desperation. The Democratic Republic of Congo currently hosts over 42,000 Burundian refugees, many of whom face similar challenges in other camps across the country.