Burundi is a landlocked and densely populated country facing a myriad of socioeconomic hurdles. Over 70 percent of the population struggle to make ends meet and nearly 56 percent of children under 5 suffer from stunting (impaired growth due to malnutrition).

Food security is fragile due to a combination of factors, with over 1.9 million people at crisis levels according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. 

Burundi has received the largest number of refugees fleeing violence and insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 70,000 arriving since mid-February 2025. The World Food Programme (WFP) has doubled the number of refugees it is supporting to ensure desperate new arrivals have food. However, this is stretching humanitarian resources to the limit.

Recurring weather extremes lead to massive internal displacements and damage the livelihoods of a rural population that is highly dependent on subsistence farming for its food security. 

Economic challenges loom large, with the local currency continuously depreciating, inflation soaring and fuel shortages driving up the prices of essential food items.

WFP and partners supporting the government by providing humanitarian food assistance to the most vulnerable people and through resilience-building initiatives. WFP and the Government of Burundi are working to build a national home-grown school feeding programme that reaches all elementary schoolchildren by 2032.

What the World Food Programme is doing in Burundi

Refugee crisis response
WFP provides food and cash-based assistance to 120,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Since January 2025, an influx of Congolese refugees fleeing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has put immense pressure on WFP’s response capacity. Due to funding shortfalls, daily rations have been reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent of the recommended daily calorie intake.
Food systems and livelihoods
WFP partners with the Government of Burundi to strengthen smallholder farmers’ capacities in food systems, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and build community resilience. This includes training in post-harvest handling and storage, boosting household incomes through local procurement for home-grown school feeding, expanding hydroponic systems in schools and communities, and providing early-warning tools and anticipatory cash assistance to communities at risk of climate shocks. In 2024, WFP supported over 29,000 cooperative members in key markets including rice, maize, beans and milk.
School meals
WFP works with national and international partners to procure safe and nutritious food for the school meals programme, linking smallholder farmers directly to schools. In 2024, WFP provided nutritious meals to over 753,000 schoolchildren across 885 schools and injected US$6.8 million into local economies to expand Home-Grown School Feeding. The Safe Access to Fuel and Energy for Food Security programme equips schools with energy-efficient cooking stoves, kitchen shelters and water-collection points.
Social protection
WFP works with the Government to integrate refugees into the national social protection system and support food-insecure populations affected by climate shocks. In 2024, this included cash-based transfers and human capital development programmes for 8,000 refugees across 5 camps, and emergency food and cash assistance to over 430,000 returnees and severely food-insecure households. WFP also reinforces national emergency preparedness and response capacities and supports the development of a unified national social registry.
Logistics services
supports vital logistics and supply chain services across the country, ensuring the prompt delivery of life-saving assistance through storage and transport of essential goods and fuels. In 2024, WFP enhanced the capacity of the national food reserve agency to improve maize stock management and reduce losses. This included reconditioning 25,000 tons of maize with modern techniques and training warehouse staff in safe, efficient stock handling and crisis response.

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Burundi is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Burundi Canada China European Union FEED

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Office

Avenue du Large 78, Immeuble CEPRODILIC B.P. 6735
Bujumbura
Burundi

Phone
+257 22 22 5621
Fax
+257 22 21 33 31
Email
WFP.Bujumbura@wfp.org
For media inquiries
WFP.Bujumbura@wfp.org
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