disaster
World: Where is my family? The search for missing loved ones in Africa’s oldest and newest refugee camps
By International Committee of the Red Cross at ReliefWeb
· June 19, 2026
· 8 min read
Countries: World, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda .2 million people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fled their homes across borders. In Uganda and Burundi, where we visited refugee camps in November 2025 and again in March 2026, we met Furaha, Maryam, Anastasia and
Key takeaway 2 million people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fled their homes across borders.
Why this matters
The plight of refugees like Furaha, Maryam, Anastasia, and Michael highlights the devastating consequences of conflict and displacement on family unity. With over 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the sheer scale of the crisis is overwhelming. The fact that more than half of them are in Uganda and Burundi underscores the regional impact of the conflict. The use of technology, such as phones, to reconnect families is crucial, yet it is often hindered by limited access to charging facilities, network coverage, and other resources. As the search for missing loved ones continues, organizations like the Red Cross Movement play a vital role in reuniting families. The situation in Africa's oldest and newest refugee camps serves as a stark reminder of the need for sustained humanitarian support and efforts to address the root causes of displacement, ensuring that families can be reunited and rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: World, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda .2 million people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fled their homes across borders. In Uganda and Burundi, where we visited refugee camps in November 2025 and again in March 2026, we met Furaha, Maryam, Anastasia and
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by International Committee of the Red Cross at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .