SOS Médias Burundi

Kakuma, June 24, 2025 — The UNHCR has suspended cash assistance in the Kakuma refugee camp and reduced food rations. The decline in international funding jeopardizes more than 200,000 refugees, including thousands of Burundians. Protests are growing against an assistance system seen as unfair.

Cash assistance for refugees in Kakuma camp and its extension, Kalobeyei, in northwestern Kenya, has been suspended since June. This unpopular decision by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is explained by insufficient funding. Refugees denounce the measure’s disastrous consequences.

A humanitarian crisis worsened by funding cuts

The UNHCR cites the gradual withdrawal of several donors, notably USAID, which previously funded over 60% of humanitarian programs benefiting more than 80% of Kakuma’s refugee population. UN authorities warn that without new funding, the situation could deteriorate further. The UNHCR plans to concentrate the remaining scarce resources on healthcare services.

Additionally, the in-kind food ration has also been reduced. This follows a census aimed at categorizing refugees based on their income levels and economic autonomy.

Three categories, differentiated assistance

Now, each refugee is classified into one of three categories established by UNHCR:

The first includes refugees deemed autonomous, often running businesses, employed by humanitarian agencies, or with stable incomes. They will no longer receive any assistance.

The second category concerns those with modest incomes. They will continue to receive half of their usual ration.

The third, most vulnerable category includes elderly persons, people with disabilities, widows, orphans, and unaccompanied children. They will receive double their usual ration.

Criteria seen as vague and unfair

This categorization has sparked strong opposition in the camp. Several refugees believe the process was marred by “irregularities” and lacked objective and transparent criteria. They call on UNHCR to reverse this “inhumane” decision with severe consequences.

In turn, UNHCR encourages refugees to better integrate into the host community and seek economic opportunities to reduce dependence on diminishing international aid.

A camp under pressure

The Kakuma camp currently hosts more than 200,000 refugees from over ten East African and Horn of Africa countries. Among them, there are over 25,000 Burundians. Other refugees mainly come from South Sudan, the DRC, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Facing this critical situation, refugees in Kakuma fear an even more precarious and uncertain future.

The Kakuma camp was established in 1992 in northwestern Kenya to host refugees fleeing regional conflicts. It is one of Africa’s largest refugee camps, with over 200,000 people recorded in 2025.

Refugees primarily come from South Sudan, Burundi, the DRC, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Kakuma is divided into four main sections and includes an extension called Kalobeyei.

International aid, now insufficient, threatens the survival of the most vulnerable populations.

Facing this critical situation, refugees in Kakuma fear an even more precarious and uncertain future.