The Coalition for the Defence of Human Rights of Refugees Living in Camps (CDH/VICAR) raises a grave alarm over the continued and systematic destruction of shelters belonging to Burundian refugees in Tanzania. These demolitions are unfolding simultaneously in the Nyarugusu and Nduta refugee camps, deepening an already critical humanitarian crisis and placing thousands of vulnerable individuals at extreme risk.
At Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, which is composed of six zones, Tanzanian authorities have already demolished shelters in three zones. Entire communities have been displaced within the camp, leaving families without protection against harsh weather conditions. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern that is steadily dismantling refugees’ living conditions and sense of safety.
In Nduta Refugee Camp, the situation is equally alarming. The year 2026 began with demolition operations across 17 zones, and to date, four zones have been completely destroyed. Refugees who are unable to return to Burundi due to well-documented security risks are now left without any shelter. Many are forced to remain on their plots amid collapsed walls and debris, exposed to heavy rains and extreme weather in conditions that are both precarious and inhumane.
CDH/VICAR underscores that the destruction of shelters constitutes a form of indirect coercion aimed at forcing refugees to return against their will, in violation of the principles of voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation enshrined in international refugee law. We call for the immediate halt to all demolitions, urgent humanitarian assistance for affected families, and decisive action by UNHCR and the international community. States must uphold their commitments, and the dignity and protection of refugees must never be sacrificed.
