Tens of thousands flee DR Congo to Burundi amid rebel takeover of key city

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Faisal AliDecember 19, 2025 at 03:35 PM

AI Summary

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Since early December 2025, over 84,000 people have fled the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Burundi due to escalating violence. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that a Rwanda-backed M23 rebel offensive, culminating in the capture of the strategic city of Uvira, triggered the mass exodus. Refugees, primarily women and children, are arriving in Burundi exhausted and traumatized, overwhelming local resources. The UNHCR describes the situation as a major humanitarian emergency, with displaced families facing dire conditions in transit points and makeshift camps lacking basic necessities like clean water and sanitation. While M23 announced a withdrawal from Uvira on December 17th, the refugee crisis in Burundi continues to require immediate global support.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 35% South Kivu 50% Rwanda 60% UNHCR ×270% Uvira ×470% UN ×275% M23 ×580% Burundi ×585% Democratic Republic of the Congo ×490%

Keywords

refugees 100% dr congo 90% burundi 80% m23 rebel group 70% humanitarian emergency 70% unhcr 60% violence 60% uvira 50% displacement 50% south kivu 40%