Climate crisis in Burundi: thousands of children displaced by floods

Since October 2023, East Africa has once again suffered the ravages of the El Niño climatic phenomenon.

THE Burundilocated on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania, is among the most impacted states. Torrential rains, floods and landslides have increased in recent months.

The floods invaded entire villages, destroyed thousands of houses and displaced nearly 100,000 people.

In total, more than 230,000 people have been affected by these climate shocks and are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance.

Burundi faces an intensifying climate crisis

At the heart of the Great Lakes region, Burundi, known as one of the poorest countries in the world, is also one of the most exposed to the effects of climate change.

Since January 2024, under the effect of torrential rains, the waters of Lake Tanganyika, the second largest lake in Africa, have risen by 10 cm every week.

For the populations, the nightmare seems to repeat itself: their homes, their schools, their markets are found under the waves.

In the town of Gatumba for example, in the west of the country, the floods of 2021-2022 had already caused significant damage. And, two years later, Gatumba experiences this same dramatic situation again.

In Burundi, a country where agriculture is one of the main sources of income, these floods have devastated nearly 40,000 hectares of crops, or 10% of the country’s harvests.

Concretely, this means that families have lost their main means of subsistence and are living in a total destitution. For thousands of them who have had to take the path of exile, the living conditions are alarming.

Without water, without access to adequate hygiene services or essential health care, children are particularly exposed to the risks of epidemics, measles, cholera, or the deadly dangers of dehydration.

Thus, the cholera epidemic which was declared in January 2023, for example, continues to rage. In total, more than 1,500 cases have been recorded: a number that could explode due to flooding.

UNICEF mobilized on the ground

Since the start of the El Niño phenomenon, UNICEF teams have been working to help populations affected by the disasters it causes.

Access to water being crucial to limit the risk of epidemics, we transported water by truck and started repairing damaged infrastructure.

UNICEF and its partners have provided medical equipment to meet the needs of the population and deal with the cholera epidemic.

While 200 schools were damaged by flooding, we also distributed supplies to students whose school year was interrupted.

Your donation is essential to continue our actions

Heavy rains are expected to continue to fall on Burundi until the end of May. The toll could therefore increase considerably.

Needs are evolving at alarming speed and require additional resources. By donating today to our emergency fund, you give us the opportunity to continue to mobilize on the ground, for every child.