The camp is hosting more than 100,000 refugees who have fled Burundi in the last one week after protests erupted over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s plan to run for a third term. According to Oxfam, the camp is receiving at least 10,000 fresh refugees hence its decision to send aid.
Oxfam, which specialises in water and sanitary equipment, has sent water tanks which include a 10,000 litre tank, 500 pieces of latrine slabs, 57 pieces of tap stands, water treatment units, pipes including 25 horse pipes and water buckets among other items.
“There are fears of waterborne diseases erupting at the camp because of the increase in the number of refugees at the camp. This is mainly because of the consumption of untreated water and the lack of proper disposal of waste,” Oxfam Regional Business Systems Manager Horn, East and Central Africa Joseph Mari said.
The company is working with other agencies such as UNHCR and the government of Tanzania to ensure that the refugees get clean water and other amenities.
A report filed by Reuters said that the situation was getting desperate as there was a shortage of latrines and drinking water because of the high numbers of refugees who were going into the camp.