As the crisis in Cameroon’s South-West and North-West Anglophone regions continues, the number of people crossing the border into neighbouring Nigeria is increasing.
The crisis inside Cameroon between secessionist forces and the government intensified following the unilateral declaration of independence on October 1, 2017, and earlier protests in the English-speaking parts of Cameroon. Most Cameroonian asylum-seekers sought safety in Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Cross River and Taraba States. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has built several settlements for them on land provided by the Nigerian authorities.
UNHCR supports the Nigerian authorities and communities hosting tens of thousands of Cameroonian refugees.
UNHCR joins hands to register and document refugees which allows them to move freely in Nigeria and access health and education. The Agency supports their inclusion in national health systems and schools that receive Cameroonian girls and boys alongside their Nigerian peers.
UNHCR also rehabilitates water facilities and provides non-food items such as sleeping mats, solar lanterns, blankets and – as part of its COVID-19 response – hand-sanitizers and face masks.
In addition, UNHCR provides cash for food for the most vulnerable families and aims at increased vocational trainings and support to small businesses so that the refugees become self-reliant.
UNHCR also coordinates the help of other organizations and regularly includes vulnerable Nigerian neighbours in its support programmes.