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Cameroon + 2 more

UNHCR Cameroon Factsheet - June 2017

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Cameroon currently has 616,111 people of concern, including 212,534 Central African refugees and 91,278 Nigerian refugees.

A total of 889 Nigerian refugees living in Minawao camp spontaneously returned to towns in north-eastern Nigeria during the month of June.

Agro-pastoral conflict in the Taraba State of Nigeria leads to large population displacement of which several thousand have crossed into Cameroon.

WORKING WITH PARTNERS

UNHCR coordinates protection and assistance for refugees in collaboration with:

  • Government Partners: Ministries of External Relations, Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Public Health, Women Empowerment and Family, Social Affairs, Justice, Basic Education, Water and Energy, Youth and Civic Education, the National Employment Fund and others, Secrétariat Technique des Organes de Gestion du Statut des réfugiés.

  • Implementing Partners:, Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA), African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD), Agence pour le Développment Economique et Social (ADES), CAMWATER, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), FAIRMED, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), InterSos, International Medical Corps (IMC), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Plan International, Première Urgence - Internationale (PUI) and Public Concern.

  • Operational Partners: ; ICRC, Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA), ASOL and Red Deporte, IEDA Relief, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) and CARE International.

  • UN Agencies: WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, UN Women, FAO, UNESCO, IOM, UNDP and UNOCHA

  • Operational coordination: In accordance with the “Joint OCHA-UNHCR Note on Mixed Situations – Coordination in Practice” the responsibility to coordinate the overall humanitarian response in the Far North has been delegated to UNHCR. UNHCR sectors are utilized to deliver assistance to IDPs and other affected groups. All sectors are operational holding regular meetings. Each sector is led by a Government entity and co-led by UN agencies. There is also a bi-monthly UNHCR-chaired Multi-Sector Operations Team meeting in Maroua, bringing together more than 40 humanitarian partners intervening in the region. The response for Central African refugees is managed in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. Sectorial groups have been established by UNHCR, covering the whole operational area. Local authorities have been very engaged in the management of the refugee operation. UN agencies and international NGOs have been instrumental in implementing activities for Central African refugees and host populations. At the capital-level, UNHCR leads the Multi-Sector Operations Team for the Refugee Response and the national Protection Working Group, and actively participates in other relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms and the Humanitarian Country Team.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

  • The security situation in the Far North region remains of concern; more than a dozen attacks and explosions occurred during the month, prompting Cameroonian authorities to harden their position towards the presence of Nigerian refugees in the border area. Indeed, on 27 June, 887 refugees were returned to Banki in Nigeria by Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities. Appreciating fully the considerations of national security and Cameroon’s imperative to protect its citizens and territory, UNHCR continues to request that the Cameroonian Government respect its commitment to the conventions to which it is party.

  • An agro-pastoral conflict in Taraba State, Nigeria, has caused a large population displacement of which several thousand arrived in Cameroon during the last week of June. Local authorities and civil society actors have already provided assistance to these populations. Findings of a joint UNHCR and government assessment mission, will be shared and will allow for timely identification of the necessary interventions.

  • The 17th World Refugee Day was held on 20 June under the theme Together #WithRefugees. The celebration took place in collaboration with the Government and partners in Yaounde, as well as in the presence of local authorities in the regions of Far North, East and Adamaoua.