Clotilde Ndayisenga with her daughter Ines Nihorimbere at their home in Rugombo, Cibitoke. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith/Concern Worldwide.

Burundi

Why are we in Burundi? With high levels of poverty, malnutrition, and maternal mortality, Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Concern Worldwide has been operational in Burundi since 1997 and currently implements programmes focusing on health, nutrition, livelihoods, and WASH.

*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in Burundi. Find out more about our response here.

Almost 80% of Burundians are living in poverty (51% in extreme poverty)

The maternal mortality rate in Burundi is amongst the worst in the world with 740 deaths per 100,000 live births, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to have a child. Our work in Burundi focuses on nutrition, health, and livelihoods, with a particular emphasis on improving nutrition and overall health among people who are excluded from the health system. We specialise in community-based health and nutrition interventions.

Latest achievements

COVID-19 messaging

A total of 29,078 households (Concern beneficiaries) were sensitised on COVID-19 during the month of April 2020. This is approximately 162,836 people.

Cash transfers

New project locations

Aline Nsabimana’s family shell and sort the dried beans they have just harvested. Chris de Bode/Concern Worldwide.

Community Health Worker Jeannette Icimanishatse with one-year-old Nadia Niyihankuye Bukinanyana, Cibitoke, Burundi. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith/Concern Worldwide.

Clotilde Ndayisenga (25) with her daughter Arlene Akimana (2) at their home in Rugombo, Cibitoke. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith/Concern Worldwide.

Nurse Orene Nahimana measures three-month-old Roger Bimenyimana’s rate of breathing to diagnose if he has pneumonia. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

Widow Isabelle Mundana (66) earns a living from selling white aubergines at market which she cultivates on her plot of land and kitchen garden, along with caja peas, Chinese cabbage, amaranth, onion and spinach. She has benefitted from nutrition and hygiene training and a series of money transfers as part of Concern’s community and household resilience programme to improve living conditions and livelihoods for the most vulnerable. Photo: Darren Vaughan/Concern Worldwide.

Isabelle has received training and cash transfers. Photo: Darren Vaughan / Concern Worldwide.

How we're helping in Burundi

We are working hard to combat extreme poverty and build resilience in Burundi through our livelihoods and health and nutrition programmes.

Latest from Burundi

Cherica (2) washes her hands in front of her grandmother's home in Cite Soleil, a district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: Dieu Nalio Chery/ Concern Worldwide

Story

11 October 2020

Global Hunger Index: Is the world on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030?

This year’s GHI explores how we can ensure the right to adequate and nutritious food for all and achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 - amid ongoing climate extremes, conflict and a global pandemic.

Violette Bukeyeneza sitting with her family in Cibitoke, Burundi. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith / Concern Worldwide.

Story13 November 2019

How a bunch of bananas could save a family this Christmas

Odette Kanziza, along with family members, stands on front of her kitchen garden which was constructed with thanks to a generous $100 (€95) public donation. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

News3 March 2017

Fund a kitchen garden and change lives

A thriving kitchen garden in Burundi, constructed with support from Concern. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

News

6 February 2017

Kitchen gardens in Burundi

My name is Zenon Ndikuriyo, I’m a Health and Nutrition Coordinator with Concern from the east African country of Burundi. Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries and this year in particular, we’re facing real food security challenges.