CDH-VICAR Documents Critical Health Service Shutdowns Endangering Burundian Refugees in Nyarugusu Camp

CDH/VICAR has documented a new and alarming deterioration in healthcare services affecting Burundian refugees in the Nyarugusu camp, following the closure of the hospital in Zone 10 on 5 September 2025. The shutdown occurred without adequate notice to the refugee population, leaving expectant mothers in urgent need of care stranded. Several women who arrived at night to give birth found only guards and attendants outside the facility. Unable to reach Zone 8 due to security and distance, they were assisted on the spot. While the deliveries were successful and the mothers later transferred for postnatal care, the attendants who provided lifesaving help are now being targeted by authorities for assisting births outside a designated facility.

Following the incident, two Burundian midwives who participated in the emergency deliveries have gone into hiding due to fear of arrest and reprisals. This hostile environment mirrors the Tanzanian government’s ongoing directives targeting Burundian refugees, echoed publicly by Commissioner Sudi Mwakibasi. His recent declaration stated that Burundians “must return to their country,” warning that humanitarian services—including food, healthcare, and education—would be progressively removed. These measures directly contradict refugee protection norms and are creating life-threatening conditions within the camp.

CDH/VICAR’s monitoring confirms a severe decline in medical services over recent months. Refugees are increasingly forced to face drug shortages, the absence of medical referrals for specialized treatment, and unassisted childbirths. Several tragic incidents have already been reported, including newborn deaths and mothers losing their lives due to an inability to pay unauthorized fees demanded by attendants. The permanent closure of the Zone 10 hospital, operated by Medical Team International (MTI), marks the fourth shutdown after hospitals in Zones 11 and 9 were closed earlier. These facilities previously served pregnant women and children under five—two of the most vulnerable groups in the camp.

At present, the only remaining hospital accessible to Burundian refugees is located in Zone 8, also managed by MTI, placing overwhelming pressure on a single facility that cannot meet the needs of tens of thousands of displaced people. Refugees overwhelmingly interpret this coordinated reduction of essential services as a deliberate strategy to coerce forced return to Burundi in violation of international refugee law. CDH/VICAR continues to monitor the situation, document violations, and advocate for the immediate restoration of healthcare services and protection of refugee rights.