Pascal in Musenyi, Burundi. Photo: LWF/ D. Rukundo
A Congolese refugee in Burundi tells his story
The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been affected by conflict for more than 30 years. Numerous armed groups are competing with the central authorities for power and control of the potential fortune in this vast nation. Millions of people have been killed, injured and displaced.
Most recently, the M23 rebel group has captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu in South Kivu. UN agencies report massacres and atrocities against the civilian population. Many fled the violence to neighboring Burundi, where the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) provides emergency aid at UNHCR sites. One of the refugees told his story to our staff.
My name is Pascal (last name omitted for protection). I’m 39 years old and from North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. I now live as a refugee at the Musenyi site in Burundi.
I was born into war and grew up in a refugee camp. As an adult, I returned to my home village. For a time, I thought peace had come. But in October 2023, armed fighters brought new violence to my community.
One Sunday, they summoned the men of a nearby village, claiming they were needed for work. When the men arrived, about a hundred were killed. The same happened in other communities only 25 kilometers from our home. These so-called “invitations” were executions.
We had to flee. Some of my family escaped to Rwanda or Uganda. My wife, our four children, and I headed to South Kivu. Life in Bukavu was unbearable. We moved on to Uvira and finally crossed into Burundi.
Kind welcome, harsh realities
In October 2023, we were received by Burundian police and later transferred to the Cibitoke transit site. After an interview, we were granted refugee status in April 2024.
The Burundian people welcomed us warmly. We felt safe and treated with kindness. Still, daily life remains difficult. Food is scarce, and healthcare is limited. Medicines are hard to find. When someone falls ill, nurses often just tell them to drink water and hope they’ll recover.
We shared our concerns with the authorities and are grateful that an ambulance was recently provided. But movement restrictions now keep us confined within 200 meters of the camp—an unfortunate response to a few refugees reportedly joining rebel groups after leaving.
New refugees arrive every day, often in terrible condition. When it rains, their shelters flood. Some have no choice but to sleep on plastic sheets laid on the ground.
A sense of dignity
We initially received some financial help, but it didn’t last long. Unable to trade or buy goods, we had to find other ways to survive. I joined other refugees to form a community group. Together, we started farming, raising animals, sewing, and woodworking—activities that bring dignity and help us meet basic needs.
I grew up in violence, and now my own children are living through the same nightmare.
Pascal, teacher and DRC refugee in Burundi
My family and I have lost all hope of ever returning to the DRC. Since the day I was born, I’ve known nothing but war—in so many places. I grew up in violence, and now my own children are living through the same nightmare.
Staying here and integrating into Burundian society is our best hope. Back in the DRC, I was a high school teacher, and I worked in farming and livestock. But here in the camp, there’s no school yet.
Still, we haven’t lost hope. We’re doing our best with the little we have, counting on local and international support to build a better future.
