AGP Executive Report

Burundi on the African Stage: President Évariste Ndayishimiye is co-chairing the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow as African Union chair, with talks covering trade, education, technology and humanitarian cooperation. Refugee Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee boy was killed when ammunition exploded at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre; residents are urging authorities to address risks near the military firing range. Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close type 2 polio outbreaks in August, a milestone highlighted during World Polio Day. Livelihoods: Traders in Ruyigi say kiosk demolitions at the market threaten their income and leave some struggling with business loans. History: A new profile revisits Melchior Ndadaye, Burundi’s first democratically elected president, who was assassinated after just 103 days in office. Faith and Relief: The Catholic Church in Burundi is working with humanitarian partners to assist more than 80,000 Congolese refugees.

Community Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee boy was killed by a stray bullet at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre, and another child was injured. The centre’s proximity to a military firing range has prompted calls for urgent safety measures. Small Traders: Kiosk demolitions at Ruyigi Market, intended to reduce fire risks, have left vendors fearing lost income and unpaid loans. Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close type 2 polio outbreaks in August, following vaccination and response efforts. Faith and Refugees: The Catholic Church in Burundi is working with humanitarian partners to support more than 80,000 Congolese refugees. Food and Livelihoods: WFP’s Project Amata is helping dairy farmers in Gitega improve milk production with equipment and training, while supporting local access to milk.

Refugee Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee was killed when a bullet exploded near Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre, renewing calls to protect families housed close to a military firing range. Market Livelihoods: Traders in Ruyigi fear losing their income as kiosks are demolished to improve fire access; some say they have permits and outstanding business loans. Peace & Community: The Catholic Church is helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees and supporting reconciliation through youth and family initiatives. Rural Livelihoods: WFP’s Project Amata is equipping and training dairy farmers in Gitega, helping boost milk production and local incomes. Children’s Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close type 2 polio outbreaks in August, though continued vaccination and surveillance remain vital.

Refugee Support: Catholic groups and aid partners are helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees in Burundi, while families at Malawi’s overcrowded Dzaleka camp face food payments of about $8 a month—far short of basic needs. Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee boy was killed at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre when a bullet near a cooking fire exploded; residents are urging authorities to secure the site beside a military firing range. Livelihoods: Traders in Ruyigi say market kiosk demolitions threaten their income and leave them struggling to repay loans. Farming and Nutrition: Project Amata is training dairy farmers and improving milk collection in Gitega, aiming to boost rural incomes and make milk more accessible. Child Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close its type 2 polio outbreak in August, after vaccination and response efforts.

Refugee Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee boy was killed when ammunition exploded at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre, near a military firing range. Another child was injured, renewing calls to protect asylum seekers at the site. Small Traders: Kiosk demolitions at Ruyigi Market are threatening sellers’ livelihoods and loan repayments. Officials say the work is intended to reduce fire risks and improve access for firefighters. Child Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close type 2 polio outbreaks in August, a milestone highlighted during World Polio Day. Health authorities stress that vaccination and surveillance must continue. Community Support: The Catholic Church says it is helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees and promoting peace and reconciliation through youth gatherings and family support. Food and Livelihoods: WFP’s Project Amata is helping dairy farmers in Gitega improve milk production with training and equipment, supporting household incomes and access to milk.

Refugee Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee was killed when a bullet near a cooking fire exploded at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre. Another child was injured; residents are calling for urgent safety measures near the military firing range. Small Traders: Kiosk demolitions at Ruyigi Market are worrying vendors who fear losing their income and being unable to repay business loans. Officials say the work is intended to reduce fire risks and improve emergency access. Health: Burundi was among five African countries that closed their type 2 polio outbreaks in August, a milestone highlighted around World Polio Day. Recruitment Concerns: A presentation reportedly obtained from Ukrainian intelligence says Russia targeted Burundi, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone to recruit Africans for its war in Ukraine, sometimes using false promises of civilian jobs. Church and Community: Burundi’s Catholic Church is helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees and supporting peace and reconciliation efforts. A separate WFP project is helping small dairy farmers in Gitega improve milk production and livelihoods.

Refugee Safety: A 13-year-old Congolese refugee was killed at Burundi’s Cishemere transit centre when a bullet found near a fire exploded as children roasted corn; another child was injured. Residents are calling for urgent safety measures near the military firing range. Small Traders: Kiosk demolitions at Ruyigi Market are putting traders’ livelihoods and loan repayments at risk. Officials say the work is needed to prevent fires and improve access for firefighters. Refugee Support: Burundi’s Catholic Church and humanitarian partners are assisting more than 80,000 Congolese refugees. Farming and Nutrition: Project Amata is helping small-scale dairy farmers with equipment and training, while aiming to improve access to milk in a country where consumption is low. Public Health: Burundi was among five African countries that closed type 2 polio outbreaks in August.

Child Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close its type 2 polio outbreaks in August, a milestone highlighted on World Polio Day. Health officials say continued vaccination and surveillance are needed to protect children. Rural Livelihoods: WFP’s Project Amata is helping small-scale dairy farmers in Gitega with training and equipment, while supporting local milk access and incomes. Refugee Support: The Catholic Church in Burundi is working with humanitarian partners to assist more than 80,000 Congolese refugees. Peace and Families: Burundi’s Catholic Church says it has promoted reconciliation since 2004, including youth forums that draw thousands and initiatives to strengthen families.

Public Health: Burundi joined Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Congo and Uganda in closing its type 2 polio outbreak in August. Ghana’s World Polio Day update highlights the progress, while WHO warns that funding gaps could threaten vaccination efforts across Africa. Refugee Support: Burundi’s Catholic Church is helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees with humanitarian partners and says it has worked since 2004 to foster peace and reconciliation through community initiatives and youth forums. Farming and Families: Project Amata is supporting dairy farmers in Gitega with equipment and training, aiming to improve livelihoods and make milk more accessible. Refugee Safety: A Burundian couple and their four children died in a fire at Malawi’s Dzaleka camp. Police are investigating; reports of possible arson remain unconfirmed.

Public Health: Burundi was among five African countries to close type 2 polio outbreaks in August, following vaccination and response efforts. Faith & Reconciliation: The Catholic Church says it is supporting more than 80,000 Congolese refugees and has spent years building peace through youth gatherings, family outreach and community initiatives. Food & Livelihoods: WFP’s Project Amata is helping dairy farmers in Gitega with equipment and training, bringing income to households and more milk to local communities. Cultural Heritage: Burundi’s royal drumming faces challenges, raising questions about how the country can preserve a valued tradition. Refugee Welfare: Authorities have ordered refugees living outside camps to return, a move that could cut families off from livelihoods as aid and food rations fall short.

Food & Families: WFP and Kerry Group’s Project Amata is helping dairy farmers in Gitega improve milk production, supporting livelihoods and offering a local source of nutrition for school meals. Refugee Support: Burundi’s Catholic Church says it is helping more than 80,000 Congolese refugees while promoting peace and reconciliation through youth and family initiatives. Burundians Abroad: A family of six from Burundi died in a fire at Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp; police are investigating, while reports of possible arson remain unconfirmed. Cultural Heritage: Burundi’s royal drumming tradition faces challenges, renewing concern about preserving a defining part of the country’s culture.

Food and Families: WFP and Kerry Group’s Project Amata is supporting dairy farmers in Gitega with equipment and training. The initiative could help improve milk access in Burundi, where consumption remains low, and support school meals. Burundian Community: A family of six from Burundi died in a fire at Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp. Police are investigating; reports of possible arson remain unconfirmed. Peace and Reconciliation: The Catholic Church says it has promoted peacebuilding in Burundi since 2004, with youth forums and family-focused work aimed at healing divisions and strengthening communities. Cultural Heritage: Burundi’s royal drumming tradition faces challenges, renewing calls to protect a distinctive part of the country’s cultural life.

Burundian Community: A couple and their four children from Burundi died in a fire at Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp. Police are investigating; suspicions of arson remain unconfirmed. Refugee Life: Burundi’s refugee agency is ordering people living outside camps to return, a move that could cut families off from income as aid and food rations fall short. Living Heritage: At Gishora, young apprentices are learning Burundi’s royal drumming tradition, while performers call for more support and protection of the trees used to make drums.

Refugee Life: Burundi’s refugee agency is ordering people living outside camps to return, raising fears that families will lose income as aid and food rations fall short. Living Heritage: At Gishora, young apprentices are learning Burundi’s royal drumming, but performers say they need more support and the trees used to make drums must be protected.

Refugee Policy: Burundi’s refugee agency is ordering people living outside camps to return, raising fears families will lose income as aid and food rations fall short. Regional Rights: A new report co-authored by SOS-Torture Burundi says human-rights defenders face surveillance and intimidation even after fleeing across borders. Royal Drumming: At Gishora near Gitega, masters are teaching dozens of children Burundi’s royal rhythms and traditions, but say performers need more support and drum-making trees need protection. Camp Conditions: More than 33,000 Congolese refugees in Busuma face rain threats while living in deteriorating shelters.

Refugee Welfare: Burundi’s refugee agency is ordering people living outside camps to return, a move that could cut families off from income as aid and food rations fall short. Living Conditions: More than 33,000 Congolese refugees in Busuma face the rainy season in deteriorating shelters, with children and older people especially vulnerable. Cultural Heritage: At Gishora, young apprentices are learning Burundi’s royal drumming traditions, while performers seek more support and work to protect the trees used to make drums.