Burundi

With an average annual income of 270 euros per person, Burundi is the poorest country in the world. 40 percent of the population suffers from famine. Furthermore, its population density is six times higher than the global average, allowing diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis to spread very rapidly.

Our impact in 2025

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patient care in the Kibumbu centre

In Burundi, Damien Foundation provides care to multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in the Kibumbu Referral Centre, around 60 km from Bujumbura. The centre provides accommodation for 60 patients who are surrounded by the best possible care. In order to build up their strength, patients are offered three meals a day during their stay at the hospital. They are also provided with blankets and care and leisure materials.

In 2023, Damien Foundation will support the government’s national TB programme in rolling out oral therapies to treat multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis. They also aim to implement diagnostic testing on a large scale to make it easier to detect infected persons.

Leprosy still occurs in 6 of the 18 provinces

Because of physical disabilities or social exclusion, leprosy patients often have difficulty finding jobs. For this reason, Damien Foundation and a local NGO in Burundi have set up small projects at which ex-patients can work and thereby support themselves. In total, 26 ex-patient associations are supported, with nearly 500 members. Members are active in agriculture and goat-rearing, get involved in the financing of micro-projects, take part in well-being work and contribute by raising awareness and detecting leprosy among the population. Members are active in agriculture and goat-rearing, get involved in the financing of micro-projects, take part in well-being work and contribute by raising awareness and detecting leprosy among the population.