A Burundian solider stands guard at the Kavimvira border post between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi near Uvira, DRC, on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said. Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate. As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)
KINSHASA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
According to a statement from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the convoy departed from the Busuma refugee site in Burundi's Ruyigi province, crossed into the DRC through the Kavimvira border post, and proceeded to the city of Uvira in South Kivu province.
UNHCR said the operation is being carried out under existing agreements between the governments of Burundi and the DRC, with logistical support and coordination from the UN agency.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR.
Since 2025, eastern DRC has experienced intensified fighting between government forces and several armed groups, including the March 23 Movement, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee to neighboring countries, particularly Burundi. ■
Buses with Congolese refugees returning from Burundi on board are seen in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)
A woman checks her belongings in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)
A woman looks out of the window of a bus transporting Congolese refugees in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)
People look out of the windows of the buses transporting Congolese refugees in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)
A child is seen in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 23, 2026. The first group of roughly 470 Congolese refugees in Burundi began returning voluntarily to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday, the United Nations refugee agency said.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the voluntary repatriation program, UNHCR said, adding that returnees will receive financial assistance and support to help them reintegrate.
As of March 23, 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone, according to UNHCR. (Str/Xinhua)