Yaoundé, Cameroon, 11 September 2023 — The European Union (EU) committed 700,000 euros to support the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in addressing the severe and protracted humanitarian crisis in Cameroon's North West and South West regions.
This crisis has left 2.2 million people in desperate need, according to the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan, with over 730,000 individuals, including internally displaced people and returnees, displaced from their homes. The ongoing insecurity, displacement, lack of access to livelihoods, and movement restrictions have placed local populations at grave risk, exposing them to widespread protection challenges and human rights violations.
The EU-funded project, implemented by IRC, focused on responding to the most urgent protection needs in underserved and hard-to-reach communities in North West and South West Cameroon. The primary goal was to enhance access to basic services for the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals while simultaneously strengthening local capacities to create a safer environment.
IRC's multifaceted approach encompassed a spectrum of crucial activities, including protection monitoring and safety audits. These efforts bolstered protection risks and needs analysis and fostered trust and acceptance within communities. Furthermore, IRC undertook a mission to heighten awareness of protection issues, with a specific focus on combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and ensuring child protection. The organization also provided essential information about service availability to local populations. In alignment with these objectives, IRC offered immediate, timely, gender- and age-specific support, with an emphasis on safe referrals, mental health and psychosocial support services for the communities most affected by the crisis. Overall, the collaborative efforts of the EU and IRC, under this program, have positively impacted 18,000 individuals in Cameroon, with two-thirds of them being women.
Benjamin Bach, Deputy Director of Programs for IRC, said:
"With the EU's support, our teams were able to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by this crisis, providing them with the protection and support they urgently needed. Today, the EU's commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Cameroon remains crucial, as insecurity in the affected regions is expected to persist, limiting people's access to food and other essential needs. The prolonged crisis, coupled with the impact of climate change and conflicts, will continue to strain communities and displaced individuals. The ongoing hardship of the people in the North West and South West regions calls for our collective efforts."
While the EU's funding has played a pivotal role in alleviating the challenges of people in Cameroon's North West and South West regions, it underscores the pressing need for sustained international support. IRC remains unwavering in its commitment to aiding those affected by crises and is determined to work tirelessly alongside partners like the EU to improve the lives of those caught in the midst of this protracted humanitarian emergency.
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.