Overview
Burundi’s civil war, which lasted from 1993-2005, left 300,000 dead and displaced over one million people.
The refugees returned to Burundi to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, but the country still faces tremendous challenges. Burundi is among the poorest countries in the world, ranked 184 out of 188 countries in the 2015 Human Development Index. Fifty-eight percent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and one out of every ten children in Burundi dies before the age of five from a preventable disease. Over 80% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. Recent national problems have made the situation worse, with a quarter of the population now experiencing acute food insecurity.
World Relief partners with local churches to develop communities and empower the most vulnerable to build a better life. Programs focus on mobilizing churches to minister to children, to build stronger families and to reach out to the most vulnerable in the community. Community-based programs include health & nutrition training, organizing savings groups, and enhancing agriculture production for increased income and better nutrition.