Since the weekend, more than 20,000 people have crossed into Burundi, fleeing violence in eastern DR Congo, according to UNHCR.

"The situation is starting to be quite dire at the at the border, the majority of those that are arriving from the DRC are doing it through informal border crossings," said UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado. 

Many people are exhausted, separated from family and in urgent need of help.

"The vast majority are women and children, they are arriving exhausted, tired," Ms. Sarrado said. 

"Many of them tell our teams on the ground that they have lost family members, sometimes children, while they were fleeing."

UNHCR is on the ground delivering lifesaving assistance, but more support is needed, she says.

"Support is extremely needed to continue providing lifesaving assistance to those that are fleeing the violence in the DRC."

Refugees fleeing DRC arrive exhausted, bereaved in Burundi, UNHCR's Olga Sarrado reports

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Refugees fleeing DRC arrive exhausted, bereaved in Burundi, UNHCR's Olga Sarrado reports

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