Context

In Cameroon, some 4.3 million people are suffering from the effects of conflict and violence, climate shocks, and disease outbreaks. There are nearly one million IDPs, half a million returnees, and half a million refugees and asylum seekers. 

The crisis in the North-West and South-West continues to be characterised by human rights violations and abuses, short-term displacement as well as pendular movements due to fear of  violence between parties. In the eastern regions the existing health centres are overburdened due to the refugee crisis in the Central African Republic and a lack of sufficient human and material resources. In the Far North region, the number of IDPs has increased by almost 20 per cent in one year, reaching 454,000 people. The region also hosts nearly 117,000 Nigerian refugees.

INTERSOS’ intervention

The INTERSOS team supports IDPs, returnees, refugees, and host communities. Specifically, we intervened with activities aimed at preventing gender-based violence, providing legal assistance, psychosocial support and raising community awareness through radio broadcasts. We also trained women and girls to enable them to start income-generating activities. Our team also intervened in the Logone et Chari, Goulfey and Logone Birni departments, engaging men as agents of active change to prevent and fight against GBV in their communities,.

Additionally, we provided case management for children experiencing protection risk and ensured access to birth registration at civil status centres. Psychosocial, recreational and educational activities were organised in child-friendly spaces. 

INTERSOS focused on activities to support agricultural production and livestock breeding through the distribution of seeds and agricultural tools, as well as related capacity building and training sessions. These activities are essential for the population to increase their self-reliance and resilience in the face of growing food insecurity. In the Far North, South and North-West of the country, we distributed food and provided cash assistance to buy food. Awareness sessions on proper nutritional practices were conducted.

Due to limited access to drinking water and inadequate facilities Cameroon suffers from recurring cholera outbreaks. INTERSOS intervenes by constructing and rehabilitating of boreholes, monitoring and controlling water quality and setting up water points, which are then monitored by community committees.