Refugees in Cameroon Assisted through LWF/UNHCR Partnership

Sanitation, Livelihoods and Peace workshops

(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will partner with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to assist refugees in Cameroon. After conducting an assessment in 2014, LWF developed a concept note for refugee assistance and was accepted as a partner by UNHCR in Cameroon for 2015.

The refugees in Cameroon originate from the Central African Republic (CAR), where conflicts between Seleka and Anti-Balaka militia caused unrest and displacement. The United Nations witnessed a great influx of refugees in early 2014, when the situation in CAR deteriorated. Previously Cameroon already was home to a great number of refugees who arrived from CAR in 2006. The last year saw a great number of new arrivals due to civil unrest in CAR and Nigeria.

The refugees from CAR who sought asylum in Cameroun settled mainly in the villages in the East and Adamawa regions. Many of them joined relatives and friends who had come to these villages as refugees in 2006.

According to UNHCR estimates the Adamawa region is currently hosting 63,795 Central African refugees, with another 151,290 in additional refugee in the East region. The majority of the refugees are women and children.

LWF has now started to implement activities in water and sanitation and creating sustainable livelihoods. It is also planned to conduct workshops for peace and reconciliation.

Photo Essay: LWF Assistance in Cameroon

Thousands ofpeople have fled from the Central African Republic to villages in the East and Adamawa regions of neighboring Cameroon. After conducting assessments in 2014, LWF will now partner with UNHCR to assist the refugees with water and sanitation and creating sustainable livelihoods. It is also planned to conduct workshops for peace and reconciliation.

The refugees who sought asylum in Cameroun settled mainly in the villages in the East and Adamawa region. Many of them joined relatives, who had come to these villages as refugees in 2006.

6 February 2015

Photos: LWF Cameroon

One of the villages where refugees live in Mbarang. It is estimated that 150,000 refugees from the Central African Republic have settled in the region.

The majority of the refugees are women and children.

Many have walked for days to escape the conflict. When they arrive, they are malnourished and in need of medical attention.

Women use river water for washing and other domestic work. LWF has started to assist the refugees with water, sanitation and hygiene.

Girls pounding maize. The wood is used to break and smoothen the grains, a traditional way of preparing food.

Collecting firewood is another typical chore carried out by children.

After a leader’s meeting in Dompla, North Cameroon. The meeting was organized by LWF to consult with community representatives on the actual livelihood activities for different groups.

LWF team leader in Cameroon helping women and children prepare food.

A family in Ngam refugee camp. Peace and Reconcilitaion are among the activites LWF conducts with people who have seen and experienced conflict and upsetting situations.

Cattle in Meiganga village. Livestock is the main source of food and income in these rural areas. LWF is providing livelihood support. The refugees want to be trained on how to engage in agriculture because they lost their cattle as a result of the war.