Cameroon: Situation Report, 19 June 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cameroon Humanitarian Response Plan 2024: US$371.4 million requires to assist 2.3 million most vulnerable people.
• The ordeal of repeated fires ravaging IDP settlements in Far North Cameroon.
• Natural disasters and climate change at the root of community crises in Cameroon.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Cameroon Humanitarian Response Plan 2024: US$371.4 million requires to assist 2.3 million most vulnerable people.

On 16 April 2024, the Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Paul Atanga Nji, and the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Cameroon, Siaka Coulibaly, successfully launched the 2024 Cameroon Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) in Yaoundé. This comprehensive plan requires US$371.4 million to reach 2.3 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in 2024 by enabling humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance and reduce the vulnerability of crisis affected populations. The HRP is developed under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Humanitarian Country Team, in consultation with national and local authorities, humanitarian actors and partners, as well as crisis-affected populations, whose voices are paramount.

The plan aims at supporting women and girls, men, and boys, who face daily struggles and protection risks due to multiple crises such as the Lake Chad Basin conflict, the socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, the impact of the Central African refugee influx, disease outbreaks and climate-related shocks. Nearly one million people are internally displaced within the country and almost half a million refugees and asylum seekers are hosted. The HRP is therefore designed to contribute to a well-coordinated humanitarian response to the most urgent needs of the affected populations, in support of government action and community efforts. The 2024 HRP prioritizes interventions in key sectors such as education, food security, health, nutrition, protection (including child protection, gender-based violence and housing-land-property), shelter and non-food items, as well as water and sanitation. The plan focuses on the epicenters of emergencies with the highest needs severity in crises affected areas. Humanitarian interventions will take place in the Far North, North-West, South-West and Eastern regions. Siaka Coulibaly, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon, stressed the urgency of a renewed commitment from the humanitarian community and donors. "Millions of lives depend on our continued solidarity with those in need," he said. "We must also explore innovative and sustainable solutions to address the complex and protracted effects of displacement, in cooperation with national authorities and development actors." In 2023, the HRP was funded at 31 per cent, thanks to the generous support of donors.

Despite challenges, last year, humanitarian partners reached 1.2 million of the most vulnerable people with various forms of support. However, the level of funding was inadequate as hundreds of thousands of people remained food insecure and lacked access to protection, nutrition and health services, clean water, education and shelter. The 2024 HRP therefore seeks to build on the efforts of recent years and calls for increased, timely and flexible funding to save lives, improve living conditions and strengthen the resilience of affected populations to prevent further deterioration.