Since 1993 conflict in Burundi has claimed more than 300,000 lives and displaced over 1 million people. Despite peace accords in 2000 and an improved security situation, the country still faces numerous challenges as refugees return home.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) began emergency assistance in the northern part of the country in 1996 to help those displaced by civil and ethnic fighting. We now assist community rehabilitation and peace-building through supporting refugees returning from Tanzania to reintegrate, providing training and skills development for young people and reunifying separated children with their families.

We also support women's and girls' economic and social empowerment in Burundi, including services for survivors of gender-based violence, and promote good governance and national decentralisation.