Photo: WFP/Aurore Ishimwe/2021

STRENGTHENING BURUNDI'S RESILIENCE

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world and has the second lowest GDP globally. Over 1 million of its people are facing emergency and crisis levels of hunger today.

Climate, COVID-19 and Displacement

A landlocked and densely populated country in East Africa, Burundi is the second country most affected by chronic malnutrition in the world. These alarming levels of hunger are driven by poverty, rapid population growth, climate-related shocks, poor access to clean water, and low access to basic services such as health and education.

90%

of people in Burundi depend on agriculture for their livelihoods

1.04M

people are estimated to be facing crisis and emergency levels of hunger

70%

of Burundi's population lives in poverty (less than $1.90/day)

Hunger Facts

1 2 3 4

Gender Inequality
High Food Prices
Climate Shocks
Low School Completion Rates

Gender Inequality

Although women play a central role in the development of Burundi, gender equality is among the lowest in the world. The gendered division of labor relegates most household tasks to women while men, traditionally, are involved with proven financially productive activities. Each cause of unequal treatment reinforces the others, trapping women in a cycle of disadvantage and hunger.

Burundi 2020 Country Report

High Food Prices

Burundi is feeling the impacts of the ‘ring of fire’ circling the earth where climate shocks, conflict, COVID-19 and spiraling costs of food are driving more and more people into hunger. Staple food prices have soared highest in the past five years for Burundians, pushing food further out of reach.

January 2022 Country Brief

Climate Shocks

A hilly landscape makes the country vulnerable to climate-related shocks such as flooding and landslides. Between January and April of 2020, flooding caused by heavy rains drove thousands of people out of their homes in west Burundi and aggravated already high levels of food insecurity.

Burundi 2020 Country Report

Low School Completion Rates

Attending school daily ensures children have the education and nutrition they need to thrive. In Burundi, only 32% of children complete their lower secondary education. Despite high enrollment rates, dropout rates remain high for both girls and boys due to the lack of funds and suppliers’ withdrawing in response to price hikes.

Burundi 2020 Country Strategic Plan

How We're Supporting Burundians

WFP has been present in Burundi since 1968, working to support the local government’s efforts to improve food and nutrition security.

Photo: WFP/Irenee Nduwayezu/2020

Food & Cash

WFP provides food and cash aid to Congolese refugees in camps, Burundian returnees, IDPs and other food insecure groups.

Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo/2018

Agriculture

WFP supports Burundi’s farmers by teaching them new techniques, connecting them to markets and supporting post-harvest practices.

Photo: WFP/Aurore Ishimwe/2021

Nutrition

WFP uses specialized nutritious foods to prevent and treat malnutrition in children under the age of 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Photo: WFP/Hugh Rutherford

School Meals

WFP serves healthy meals in primary schools to ensure children’s physical and intellectual growth, while sourcing the food from small-scale farmers.

Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo/2018

Women

Through agricultural programs, WFP works to empower women and provide them with the technical support to boost financial productivity.

Photo: WFP/Rein Skullerud

Logistics

As a logistics leader, WFP provides transport facilitate government, humanitarian and development partners’ access to an effective supply chain.

Read the Latest Stories From Burundi

Photo: WFP/Hugh Rutherford The Miracle Mackerel: How a Contribution of Fish Is Buoying the Diets of Nearly 300,000 Schoolchildren in Burundi

High in protein, vitamins and minerals, the mackerel is a welcome dietary addition for 270,000 children living in the hungry regions of Burundi.