The number of refugees fleeing Burundi for Tanzania has tripled over
the last two weeks.
In Tanzania’s Nyarugusu refugee camp is now well over capacity, with a
growing population that has swelled to more than 122,000, according to the
group Doctors without Borders (DWB).
“Previously, there were around 2,000 people arriving each week, but as
elections in Burundi approach and the unrest continues, that number has risen
sharply to 7,000 per week. We can only expect that number to increase,” said
DWB’s Rachel Marsden.
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| Burundian refugees (seen above) are fleeing their country by the thousands |
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR),
there are currently
66,000 Burundian refugees in Tanzania, the majority of whom
are staying in Nyarugusu camp.
Approximately 64,000 refugees from Democratic
Republic of Congo also reside in the camp.