More than 33,000 Congolese refugees currently reside at the Busuma site in the Ruyigi commune, Buhumuza province, Burundi. Authorities established this facility in December 2025 to accommodate individuals fleeing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Shukuru, a refugee at the site, stated, "Nous vivons dans une bâche depuis plusieurs mois. Les conditions sont très difficiles, surtout pendant la nuit." Shukuru added that aging shelters may fail as the rainy season arrives, noting, "Nous avons peur de ce qui pourrait arriver lorsqu’il y aura de fortes précipitations." Regarding the risk of water damage to personal belongings, Shukuru said, "Nous demandons au HCR de continuer à penser à nous et de voir comment il peut nous prévenir."
Escalating Risks During Rainy Season
The Institute of Geographical Burundi (IGEBU) forecasts that the rainy season, spanning from September to December 2026, will bring precipitation levels between 400 and 450 millimeters. Experts at the institute indicate these levels represent a significant volume of rainfall for the region. The anticipated weather patterns create potential challenges for infrastructure and living conditions at the Busuma site, where thousands of displaced individuals currently reside. Meteorological data from the agency serves as a primary reference for local planning and humanitarian response efforts during the current period of increased atmospheric activity. The expected rainfall volume remains a focal point for organizations monitoring the welfare of refugees in Ruyigi as the season progresses through the end of the year.
Living Conditions at Busuma Site
Population levels at the Busuma site shifted significantly following the initial establishment of the facility, reaching a peak of approximately 65,000 people. This density followed a series of territorial shifts within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The coalition AFC/M23 took control of Goma in January 2025 and subsequently secured Bukavu in February 2025, prompting large-scale displacement into neighboring regions.
Humanitarian agencies initiated voluntary repatriation of refugees from the Busuma site back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April 2026. This movement sought to reduce the number of displaced persons residing in the Ruyigi commune as conditions at the site remained strained.
Political developments in the region continued on 12 October 2026, when the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) was created in Goma. Joseph Kabila leads the newly formed organization. The leadership structure includes Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa, who serve as vice-presidents of the group.