Thousands of Congolese refugees are risking their lives crossing the Rusizi River into Burundi to escape forced conscription by M23 rebels. Many, like 25-year-old Jordan Bita, would rather brave the deadly currents than be forced to fight. At least 20 people have drowned in the last two weeks attempting the dangerous crossing.
Burundian security forces are closely monitoring the situation as nearly 70,000 refugees have arrived in the past month. Most of those fleeing are women and children, with men being blocked at official border posts and told to stay and defend their cities.
Refugee camps in Burundi are overwhelmed, with hundreds sharing tents and food limited to one meal a day. The UN warns of a humanitarian crisis as the conflict intensifies. Meanwhile, the M23 rebels continue their advance, threatening to take Uvira, a key city near the Burundi border, further escalating tensions in the region.
