On 1 September 2026, a new action medeor project will be launched in Burundi, aimed at improving healthcare for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, amongst other things. Photo: action medeor Info On 1 September 2026, a new action medeor project will be launched in Burundi, aimed at improving healthcare for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, amongst other things. Photo: action medeor Burundi Improving healthcare, hygiene and sanitation in Burundi Programs Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Refugee flows resulting from the ongoing conflicts in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are putting increasing pressure on the state, and the healthcare system is overstretched in many places. The people of Burundi are grappling with a chronic humanitarian crisis caused by poverty, refugee flows from the Democratic Republic of Congo, food insecurity, the effects of climate change and an already weak health system. Since the end of 2025, tens of thousands of people have fled to Burundi, placing refugee camps and host communities under enormous pressure. This also has consequences for healthcare, water, sanitation and shelter. Heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides are exacerbating an already difficult situation. This is also having an impact on the critical food situation facing many families. Finally, there are the challenges posed by poorly equipped healthcare facilities and an overburdened health and social care system. action medeor has been working in Burundi for many years and, as part of a new project in the Burundian provinces of Bujumbura and Burunga, aims to improve healthcare, hygiene and sanitation for children under five, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The project aims to directly reach over 12,000 women and 45,000 children under five. Project descriptionProject Goal: Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under the age of five in the project areas, make use of improved mother-and-child health services, follow key health, preventative and hygiene measures, and seek medical care at an early stage where necessary.Project Focus: Health, health-related infrastructure and WASHTarget Group: Direct: Approx. 12,600 pregnant or breastfeeding women and 45,000 children under the age of five Approx. 100 skilled workers 112 healthcare workers and 46 community support workers 20 women’s savings groups (around 500 members) 7 healthcare facilities Indirect: Approx. 189,400 residents, as well as regional and local authorities Project Area: Burundi Health districts (5): (Isare, Cibitoke, Kebezi, Gihofi and Rumonge) Provinces (2): Bujumbura and Burunga Project Activities: Sub-objective 1:The seven selected healthcare facilities ensure high-quality healthcare for mothers and children, underpinned by appropriate infrastructure and organisational frameworks, as well as sufficiently qualified staff. 1.1: Refurbishment and equipping of the seven target healthcare facilities with basic medical equipment and PCI-WASH supplies 1.2: Integrated training and sustainable quality assurance for healthcare professionals in the field of maternal and child health and infection prevention 1.3: Continuing professional development for healthcare professionals on integrated and trauma-informed care for survivors of gender-based violence Sub-objective 2: Pregnant and breastfeeding women from vulnerable groups have sufficient knowledge and decision-making skills regarding health and WASH 2.1: Development of a communication strategy to promote health- and WASH-related behaviours, and corresponding training materials 2.2: Training of 35 community health workers (ASC) in awareness-raising at community level 2.3: Raising awareness amongst communities about personal and family health, with a focus on health, family planning, GBV and WASH Sub-objective 3: The target group’s access to healthcare services is guaranteed through membership of a community health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de santé communautaire), and their economic capacity is strengthened through participation in community income-generating activities (AGRs). 3.1: Mobilising and raising awareness amongst vulnerable women regarding community-based income-generating activities (AGR) 3.2: Establishing and supporting twenty women’s groups for community-based income-generating activities (AGR) 3.3: Promoting membership of community health insurance schemes (Mutuelles de santé communautaires) through awareness-raising, negotiations with insurance providers and support with enrolment Sub-objective 4: The technical and organisational capacities of SFBSP to implement impact-oriented health projects have been strengthened in the long term. 4.1: Organisational capacity building at SFBSP 4.2: Technical capacity building at SFBSP Project Duration: 1 September 2026 – 30 June 2030Financial Volume: 1,255,555 eurosPartner Organisation: Solidarité des Femmes pour le Bien-être Social et le Progrès (SFBSP) BurundiFunding: BMZ: 1.13 million euros; action medeor e.V.: 125,555 eurosProject Number: 6000251 Your contact person Oliver Zeidler Programme Manager Democratic Republic of the Congo Phone: +49 2156 9788-198 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. 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