Refugee Management: Ad hoc Committee evaluates activities

The inter-ministerial committee met in Yaounde on August 4, 2016.

Members of the inter-ministerial ad hoc committee charged with the management of the refugees’ crises in Cameroon have met in Yaounde in the 7th session to assess the humanitarian situation in the country.

The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Jules Doret Ndongo while chairing the session on behalf of Minister René Emmanuel Sadi, stated that the humanitarian situation in Cameroon has not improved significantly in spite the weakening of the nefarious Boko Haram sect by Cameroonian Defence Forces.

Barbaric attacks continued to be perpetrated by Boko Haram in the Far North Region pushes the population to seek refuge as new arrivals of Nigerian refugee are being recorded time to time. The situation in the East and Adamawa regions, he added, still remains precarious along the border with Central African Republic despite the political transition in the neighbouring country.

Today, Cameroon play host to 325,000 refugees, mostly from Nigeria and Central African Republic as well as thousands of internally displaced persons. Out of FCFA 170 million earmarked in the Emergency Humanitarian Plan for 2016, Minister Doret Ndongo revealed that only 24 percent of the resources have been attained.

He however expressed gratitude to friendly countries and partners for their support in assisting the refugees. The visit of some important dignitaries to Cameroon within the context of humanitarian situation is testimony to the support of the international community.

Jules Doret Ndongo stated that the tripartite agreement between Cameroon, Nigeria and the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) will soon be concluded for the voluntary return of Nigerian refugees to their country.

The 7th session, he pointed out, was not only to assess activities of different stakeholders but was also an opportunity for them to map out strategies for an optimal mobilisation of resources to cater for the humanitarian needs.