UNHCR, regional governments, partners reaffirm long-term solutions to resolve the plight of Burundian refugees

In a just-concluded regional conference, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the Government of Burundi, as well as asylum countries across Eastern and Southern Africa hosting Burundian refugees, have today reaffirmed stronger support towards efforts to achieving long-term solutions for thousands of Burundians after years in displacement.

Co-funded by the European Union and the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, the three-day conference held in Nairobi, Kenya from 16 to 18 March 2026, also included perspectives from regional organizations, UN agencies, development actors and civil society on gains made so far in the ongoing refugee response as well as reintegration efforts for thousands of Burundians who have voluntarily returned to Burundi. Refugees also present in the conference shared their experiences in displacement as well as the support they require to continue living in dignity until they reach solutions to end their plight.

The conference culminated in a High-Level Ministerial meeting where governments reaffirmed their commitment to enhance viable solutions for Burundian refugees including voluntary return, local integration and other pathways aligning with national policies and regional frameworks. Governments also committed to maintaining access to asylum for Burundians still in need of international protection, while also ensuring refugees that are ready to voluntarily return do so in safety and dignity.

“For nearly two years, UNHCR and partners have been promoting the voluntary return of Burundian refugees from across the region. This Ministerial Conference comes at an opportune time to advance gains and collective action in finding solutions that would ultimately resolve one of the region’s long-standing displacement situations. Sustainable solutions are critical not only for refugees, but for regional stability, peace, and economic development,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR’s Regional Bureau Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Discussions underscored the evolving regional context, where increased Burundian refugee returns alongside new arrivals into Burundi primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to strain reception capacities, host communities and national systems. Also discussed were the impacts of funding constraints significantly reducing assistance in host countries and directly impacting returns and reintegration in Burundi, reinforcing the need for predictable, long-term financing for Burundi and its neighbors, to better bridge humanitarian and development responses. The UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, governments, the EU and other stakeholders stressed the imperative of regional cooperation to strengthen the implementation of comprehensive solutions for Burundian refugees. Efforts to enhance the resilience of refugees and returnees to address the root causes of displacement sustainably in the Great Lakes region were also deliberated upon.

Among the conference’s conclusions was the establishment of a Regional Coordinating Committee to oversee implementation of a ground-breaking draft Regional Roadmap, monitor progress on agreed benchmarks, and ensure alignment across national, regional, and international efforts. Governments also committed to strengthening efforts to mobilize required resources, including technical capacity and financing to operationalize solutions by strengthening regional coordination and upholding protection safeguards.

These commitments reaffirmed the political will of governments across the region to ensure progress towards long-term solutions allowing hundreds of thousands of Burundians in exile, to live stable and dignified lives. Despite the prevailing global funding crunch, partners reiterated their continued support to Burundi and countries of asylum in ensuring that refugees and returnees can access basic services, rebuild their lives and live in safety and in dignity.

More than 315,000 Burundian refugees are currently hosted across the region, mainly in Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since 2017, over 300,000 Burundian refugees have returned to Burundi.

END

Find the Joint Communique from the Ministerial Meeting here (English and French).

For more information, please contact:

Faith Kasina, [email protected], +254 113 427 094