The Danish Refugee Council and the Grundfos Foundation provide urgent cash assistance to Congolese refugees in Burundi

Due to the escalating violence and intense conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since January, 70,000 Congolese people have fled the country over the past months into Burundi. The situation is increasingly urgent, as escalating violence and intense conflict continue to drive displacement, with a sharp increase recorded in recent weeks. This influx is overwhelming the existing transit centers and refugee camps in Burundi, which were already at full capacity.

To give visibility to the situation, DRC’s Secretary General, Charlotte Slente, briefed the United Nations Security Council on 27 March, highlighting the human cost and impact of conflict and displacement in the region.

Thanks to our much-valued emergency partnership with the Grundfos Foundation, DKK 845,000 has been allocated from the DRC Global Emergency Response Fund to respond to the urgent needs of the newly arrived refugees. With the support of the Grundfos Foundation, DRC is providing cash assistance to vulnerable displaced families, ensuring the flexibility needed for people to purchase what they need the most.

Women and children are disproportionately affected by conflict and remain at heightened risk of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and psychological trauma following their displacement. The absence of adequate shelter, healthcare, and protection services compounds their vulnerability. Many refugees have no option but to live in overcrowded informal settlements and transit centers, where they lack access to basic necessities such as food, clean water and sanitation services, shelter, non-food as well as food items.

The Danish Refugee Council has been present in Burundi since 2018 and is currently present in over 40 countries globally. When major shocks occur globally, we provide immediate humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, water and sanitation as well as protection for people in need.

Our work is only possible thanks to the valuable support from partners and donors, including the Grundfos Foundation, contributing a total of DKK 5 million in 2025-2026 to DRC’s Global Emergency Response Fund. This critical funding enables us to quickly reach even more forcibly displaced people globally with lifesaving humanitarian assistance – when and where it is most needed.