Trapped in Crisis: The DRC Refugees No One Sees

How Conflict In DRC Became A Regional Emergency

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Fighting between armed groups in eastern Congo has displaced 8.4 million people, making this Africa’s most urgent displacement crisis. Over 1 million fled beyond borders, with 90,145 refugees resettling in Burundi by December 2024, according to UNHCR. Neighboring nations strain under the weight of unrelenting arrivals (The New Humanitarian; https://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2025/article/democratic-republic-congo-rrp-1).

Ethnic tensions and resource competition fuel brutal attacks, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Meanwhile, cross-border movements spiked in early 2025 when fresh violence displaced over 40,000 into Burundi’s already stressed communities. Local resources now teeter near collapse as arrivals outpace aid capacity (International Rescue Committee).

Turning Points in Burundi’s Refugee Crisis

Overcrowded transit centers have become flashpoints. Families occupy school buildings and health clinics for shelter while food rations shrink. The IRC reported that refugees arriving “with nothing” needed urgent healthcare and sanitation supplies (International Rescue Committee). Existing infrastructure cracks under pressure, with only 32% of required funding secured by mid-2025.

Economic strain compounds political instability. Shopkeepers in border towns report tripled wheat prices since January. Meanwhile, Burundian host families share dwindling crops with newcomers. Local leaders warn of communal tensions if international support falls short (The New Humanitarian; https://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2025/article/democratic-republic-congo-rrp-1).

Pathways Toward Lasting Solutions

Humanitarian groups prioritize mobile health units and cash assistance. The IRC delivered kitchen kits to 3,000 families but faces funding shortfalls. Projects to rehabilitate water systems aim to prevent disease outbreaks (IOM; https://www.iom.int/countries/burundi). Still, these measures resemble triage rather than cure.

Long-term stability requires political solutions in DRC first. Until armed groups lay down weapons, displacement will keep rising. Regional summits continue, although concrete agreements remain elusive. For now, border communities bear the brunt of Africa’s forgotten crisis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.