Congolese Refugees Face Escalating Fire Risk in Burundi Settlement
Musongati, 9 April 2026
At least four tents housing Congolese refugees have burned down in less than a month at Musenyi II camp in southern Burundi, leaving families homeless and heightening safety concerns. The fires, suspected to originate from cooking inside flammable tent structures, destroy essential belongings within minutes and force the camp’s 22,000 residents to live in constant fear of further disasters.
Dangerous Living Conditions Fuel Fire Outbreaks
The recurring fires at the Musenyi II site in Musongati district, Burunga province, stem from the perilous combination of flammable shelter materials and indoor cooking practices [1]. All incidents have involved dwellings constructed from lightweight and flammable materials, with cooking food inside the tents identified as the likely factor behind the blazes [1]. The shelters, primarily made of lightweight materials including tents, offer little resistance to flames, creating a tinderbox environment for the camp’s vulnerable residents [1].
Devastating Impact on Refugee Families
The fires are inflicting catastrophic losses on affected families, with mattresses, food, clothing, and other essential belongings consumed completely within minutes, plunging victims into extreme vulnerability [1]. “Fires often break out while we’re cooking inside the tents, even if we don’t want them to,” explains Furaha, a resident of the Musenyi II area [1]. “The materials catch fire very quickly, and we don’t have time to save our belongings. We have no choice but to cook inside, but it becomes very dangerous for us and our children” [1]. The rapid spread of flames leaves families with no opportunity to salvage their possessions, worsening already precarious living conditions for those who have fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo [GPT].
Urgent Appeals for Infrastructure Improvements
Faced with escalating risks, refugees are increasingly appealing to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners for safer infrastructure to mitigate fire hazards [1]. “We are asking the UNHCR and the ONPRA (National Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) to build houses with durable materials and to set up sturdy community kitchens,” pleads Moïse, a refugee at the site [1]. “This would significantly reduce the risk of fire and protect our families” [1]. The establishment of dedicated community cooking facilities could eliminate the dangerous practice of preparing meals inside flammable tent structures, addressing the root cause of the fire outbreaks [GPT].
Camp Milestone Overshadowed by Safety Concerns
The fire incidents have cast a shadow over what should have been a significant milestone for the Musenyi II site, which recently celebrated its second anniversary in April 2026 [1]. The Musenyi I and II sites currently host nearly 22,000 Congolese refugees, with residents at Musenyi II living primarily in the vulnerable lightweight shelters [1]. Despite humanitarian efforts to provide refuge for those fleeing regional conflicts, these recurring fires highlight the persistent challenges related to the safety and dignity of living conditions [1]. The refugees now live in constant fear of further disasters, hoping for lasting solutions to prevent these recurring catastrophes that threaten their already fragile security [1].