Cameroon: North-West and South-West - Situation Report No. 61 (January 2024)

This report is produced by OCHA Cameroon in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 1 to 31 January 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Six incidents affecting healthcare reported in the North-West (NW).

• Seven students reportedly abducted from their school in the NW.

• Movement restrictions in some areas of the NW deprived tens of thousands of people of humanitarian assistance and protection services.

• Over 500 people internally displaced in the NWSW due to hostilities.

SITUATION OVERVIEW / HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

In January 2024, populations in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions continued to be affected by violence and insecurity. Armed clashes between State security forces (SSF) and non-State armed groups (NSAGs) took place in several areas. It had an impact on populations and resulted in further displacements, such as in Wum subdivision (Menchum division) where 200 people fled and in Muyuka subdivision (Fako division) where around 300 people left their village.

The population continued to suffer from abuses, including killings, destruction of properties, kidnappings for ransom, illegal taxation, arbitrary arrests, and extortion.

Over the month, several movements restrictions were enforced by NSAGs, especially in the North-West. On 9 January, NSAGs announced a roadblock on the Bamenda-Ndop road and a traffic restriction in the whole Ndop subdivision (Ngo-Ketunjia). These movement restrictions were lifted after more than a week. Furthermore, towards the end of the month, NSAGs also announced the closure of the Bamenda-Batibo-Mamfe road and the BamendaNkambe road. As there are no humanitarian exemptions, humanitarian partners were forced to delay/suspend their activities in concerned areas during these periods.

Access to education and health services continued to be impacted. Two incidents against education and six affecting healthcare centres were reported in the NW.

Challenges faced by partners in the providing of humanitarian response including to populations in hard-to-reach areas included insecurity and limited financial and human resources. Several partners had to scale down their activities, especially in Health Cluster.