A refugee's journey back home to Burundi and hope for a brighter future

In 2015, Buchumi Deuline fled her home in Burundi, escaping conflict and uncertainty, leaving behind everything that she owned, including relatives. For nearly 10 years, she lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania, raising her two children in search of safety and stability. Now, at 58, Buchumi is preparing to return home.

“I’ve received information about Burundi. It’s safer now, and there is access to land and education. I believe going back is the right decision for me and my family,” she says with quiet confidence.

Her hope is rooted in her children’s future. She feels they will be able to study comfortably and build a better life in Burundi, the country they have always called home. “All I wish is to live in peace. That’s what matters most,” Buchumi adds.

Buchumi’s decision is supported by a joint effort from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Government of Tanzania, the Government of Burundi, and humanitarian partners who are working together to promote the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees. Refugees are provided with accurate and timely information about the situation in Burundi through community and mass meetings, distribution of brochures and other communication materials, and live streaming sessions that connect them directly with Burundian government officials and former refugees who have successfully returned and re-integrated back home.

The interactive livestream sessions allow refugees to ask questions and receive answers from people in Burundi, it gives them information on reception upon return, access to land, health, education, business, agriculture, and other social and economic opportunities, helping them make informed decisions about their future.

“Returning home is a significant step for any refugee, and we are making sure each individual has the chance to hear the shared experiences of others who have walked this path, and is aware of support systems in place in Burundi to help restart their life with dignity and confidence,” explains Angela Mng’ong’o, UNHCR Field Associate.

For those who choose to return voluntarily, UNHCR provides comprehensive support throughout the journey. On the day of departure, refugees receive assistance to ensure they have all their personal belongings and are safely transported from the camp to Burundi. Upon arrival, they are received by UNHCR, the Government of Burundi, and humanitarian partners who help facilitate their reintegration. This support includes a cash grant and food assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP), designed to cover their basic needs for the first three months as they settle back into their communities.

As Buchumi and her children prepare for their journey home, they carry with them not just memories of the past, but also dreams for a peaceful and prosperous future, a reminder that home is not just a place, but a promise of belonging and opportunity.

Buchumi is planning to start farming as soon as she settles at home in Burundi. As the farming season approaches. “I was a good farmer before I fled to Tanzania. I couldn't practice farming at the camp as the land is very small and limited. But I know I will be able to do that at home. I will do it comfortably, and I will be able to take care of myself and my children,” she reflects.

Since the start of the voluntary repatriation program in Tanzania in 2017, a total of 182,746 Burundian refugees have returned home, including more than 4,000 repatriated from Nduta and Nyarugusu camps between January and November 2025. Tanzania is setting the pace for durable solutions, leading regional efforts on Burundian refugee returns with over 73 per cent of all voluntary repatriations completed in the region.

UNHCR welcomes the voluntary return of Burundian refugees as a hopeful new chapter where families can rebuild their lives and communities. However, greater and sustained international support is urgently needed in Burundi to strengthen reintegration programs, ensuring that returnees like Buchumi and her family can restart their lives with dignity and stability.