For Niella Akimana, a twelve-year-old student in Gatumba, Burundi, going back to school after the floods was not something she could take for granted. During the March 2026 rainy season, Gatumba has been severely affected by rising water levels in the Rusizi River and flooding from Lake Tanganyika, which have destroyed homes and turned roads into rivers.
Niella’s family, like many others in the area, was struggling to recover and could not afford basic school supplies or a uniform. When she received a school kit, everything changed. “I am very happy that I will be able to wear a uniform like the other students, because I did not have one,” she said.
Niella is one of the 4,500 children affected by flooding who received much needed school kits this September. Each contained books, pens, pencils, mathematical instruments, and a pair of school uniforms. The support came at a critical moment, as families were still rebuilding their lives following the severe floods. With these kits in hand, children were able to start the new school year with everything they needed to learn.
The government funded the school kits with support from the World Bank Group through the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Program. REPAIR helps countries across Africa build the financial and operational systems they need to respond swiftly when disasters strike, so that help can reach affected communities without delay. Burundi joined this regional program in July 2025.
Deciding which children would receive support was handled carefully and transparently. School principals, parents, and local officials came together to review and agree on the list of recipients, ensuring that the kits went to the families who needed them most.
Léonie Niyonzima, Vugizo Primary School Principal, welcomed the support. “The school was badly affected by the floods, and many parents simply could not afford to buy learning materials for their children. I am grateful that this year, teachers will not have to turn students away because they lack a school kit,” she said.
