Support UM News at General Conference: Your gift ensures that you and other visitors receive the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and diverse perspectives from General Conference.

Church supports flood survivors in Burundi


Key points :

  • With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the church in Burundi helped 140 households affected by severe flooding in the Bujumbura District.
  • The homes of some 70 United Methodists were damaged, along with seven United Methodist churches.
  • The Rev. Cimpaye Valentine, Bujumbura District superintendent, said the supplies boosted morale in the affected villages.

The United Methodist Church has provided relief and hope to flood survivors in northwestern Burundi.

Following devastating floods that ravaged the Bujumbura District in October 2023, the United Methodist Committee on Relief provided just over $50,000 to support hundreds of families. The United Methodist relief arm was the first organization to offer help to the region. Leaders of the church’s Bujumbura District delivered food and other supplies on Feb. 19.

The aid helped 140 households affected by the disaster, which represents about 280 people in several villages of the Cibitoke area.

This support has brought much-needed relief and hope to struggling communities, said the Rev. Cimpaye Valentine, Bujumbura District superintendent. She said the supplies have lifted the spirits of people in the affected villages.

“This support has generated great enthusiasm in our district,” Valentine said. “People are deeply grateful for the help they have received.”

The communities of Muyange, Buganda, Muhetso and Nyamarenge were the hardest hit. The homes of about 70 church members were damaged by the flooding, and seven United Methodist churches were affected. Two of the churches have been repaired while work continues on the other five.  

Niyonkuru Onesime, a United Methodist pastor in Muyange, said the flooding has affected church activities in the region. 

Subscribe to our
e-newsletter

Like what you're reading and want to see more? Sign up for our free UM News Digests featuring important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church.

Keep me informed!

“The floods have washed away our homes, churches and schools,” said Onesime. “We are homeless and have nowhere to worship God.”

Patrick Abro, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries serving as health operation manager in the Burundi Conference, reported that the UMCOR grant enabled the purchase of 1,250 kilograms of rice, 1,250 kilograms of beans, 63 loincloths, 60 buckets, 90 liters of palm oil, soap, 570 metal sheets and metal doors and windows for home and church repairs.

The impact of UMCOR’s intervention was underlined by Evariste Ndamiye, administrative manager of Gasenyi Centre, who congratulated the relief agency on being the first to bring aid to the region.

“I am very happy and would like to thank the UMCOR organization and The United Methodist Church in Burundi for the help and support they are giving the people of Cibitoke,” Ndamiye said. He also expressed the Burundian government’s solidarity with The United Methodist Church in Burundi.

Eraste Ntizizakumwe, a member of the Muyange local church, shared his testimony: “I thank God for the wonders he has done in my life. UMCOR’s help has been a real comfort to all of us in Cibitoke. I feel happy since I received this help.”

Jacqueline Ntacoripfa, another resident affected by the floods, emphasized the positive impact on the community.

“UMCOR was the first organization to come to our aid, and its support was distributed to everyone without discrimination,” she said. “The spirit of the community has improved.”

Ndayisenga is a communicator for the Burundi Conference.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digests.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Disaster Relief
On a muddy street in the Ngaliema district of Kinshasa, residents attempt to salvage some belongings after floods destroyed homes and businesses in their neighborhood following torrential rains on June 14. Four United Methodists were among the nearly 30 people who lost their lives in the floods. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

4 United Methodists killed in Congo floods

The floods in Kinshasa look the lives of 29 people, including four church members, and washed away the homes of about 50 United Methodist families.
Central Conferences
Tafadzwa Chingosho works in his fields in Hanwa, Zimbabwe, to keep the crops free from weeds. Chingosho, who left school to pursue his dream of being a farmer, gained skills through United Methodist programs including Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Church programs help young farmer pursue dream

Despite struggling academically, 18-year-old Tafadzwa Chingosho is finding success in pepper farming after being trained by The United Methodist Church.
Worship
Collins Kwasi Prempeh preaches at King Solomon United Methodist Church in Mutare, Zimbabwe, on May 18. Prempeh, the first Deaf Global Missionary, will work with communities in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, Congo and other parts of East Africa for the next three years. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Deaf missionary welcomes, inspires community

Collins Kwasi Prempeh, the first Deaf United Methodist Global Missionary, focuses on inclusion in worship and ministries. He also works to empower the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved