Derniers articles

Burundi: WFP expands its assistance to Congolese refugees through the Merankabandi project

In order to improve the living conditions of refugees, the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched awareness-raising sessions in the Congolese refugee camps of Kavumu, Musasa and Kinama. These camps are located in the Burundi’s provinces of Cankuzo, Ngozi and Muyinga. According to the organizers, the awareness-raising focuses on the criteria for choosing the program beneficiaries.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The criteria for choosing beneficiaries were established by the WFP.

« The most needy are families with children under 5, families with a person living with a disability, families headed by a breastfeeding woman or families without members engaged in income-generating activities, » say family members who followed this campaign.

The project will provide each beneficiary family with a mobile phone and a SIM card, as well as 72,000 Burundian francs every two months, for a period of 24 months.

The project will also promote awareness on hygiene, healthy eating, and health and gender education.

According to the refugees, Merankabandi represents an opportunity to escape poverty and improve their quality of life. Testimonies collected during the sessions reveal a deep expectation of economic autonomy and improved family conditions.

Mauwa, a mother of three, said: « I hope this project will help us escape poverty. With the financial assistance, I will be able to buy healthy food for my children. »

Jean, a man living with a disability, added: « I am grateful that this project takes into account families like mine. It gives us a chance to improve our daily lives. »

Lispa, a young breastfeeding mother, expressed her relief: « With the support provided to start a small business, I will finally be able to support my family. »

The Merankabandi project will target 8,000 refugee households in five camps in Burundi. Bwagiriza and Nyankanda camps in Ruyigi province have already benefited from the project, while Kinama, Musasa and Kavumu camps have started their awareness-raising activities, with the ambition of reaching all the refugee households concerned.

——-

Congolese refugees who are among the beneficiaries of the Merankabandi project, at a water point in Musasa camp in northern Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)