North West South West
2020-12 Factsheet
Highlights
The number of people affected by the crisis in the North-West and South-West increased significantly in 2020. This significant increase can be explained by several factors. First, the continued deterioration of the security situation that has led to more displacement and increased needs. While at the end of 2018, 530,000 people were believed to have been displaced as a result of the crisis, needs assessments carried out in 2019 indicate the displacement of more than 780,000 people, a 30% increase.
In 2020 50.000 households have been targeted for Core Relief Items and 40,000 households have been target with Emergency shelter. As of December 2020 11,209 households of vulnerable displaced persons have been reached with Core Relief Items while 12,511 households of vulnerable displaced persons assisted with emergency shelters and 55 households with transitional shelter .Most of IDPs remained housed in classroom or other public infrastructures and very often in difficult cohabitation for several families who do not know each other. This situation pushes some of them who do not have the financial means to rent houses, to create spontaneous sites and to build shelters that do not comply with the standards and norms to protect themselves against difficult climatic conditions (high temperature or cold with very strong wind depending on the season, rains and strong winds etc.). With a population comprising children, elderly, pregnant women, sick people, person living with a disability, stay in the open exposes people to several risks of disease, protection (physical attacks, rape, theft, etc.). Under these conditions, the privacy of households and the dignity of individuals are affected. The shelter cluster in NWSW will continue advocating to protect people by providing them with an adequate living environment.
NFI
Shelter
Coverage against targets
Need analysis
The shelter and Core Relief Items in the North West and South West region remains insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced populations (IDPs and returnees) due to either having been destroyed during conflict or poorly maintained. Majority of the affected population do not have legal documents (with majority of the affected population having lost their documents when fleeing) proving that they are the owners of these properties. This makes it difficult for them to claim ownership to the property and thus they find themselves unjustly thrown out of their properties. This is particularly the case for women. The situation in the NW/SW regions of Cameroon deteriorated in August 2020 compared to the previous months with an upsurge in violence and attacks against civilians. Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) have increased the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with increasing numbers of civilian casualties. According to the UN-OCHA Situation Report Last updated on 8th Oct 2020, the displacement situation has been on the increase, with the number totalling up to 780,000 IDPs in the NW/SW regions. This depicts, a 30% increase increase in the displaced population as compared previous year. The humanitarian needs in the NW/SW regions of Cameroon are concentrated in divisions such as Fako, Meme, Ndian, Lebialem, Kupe Manenguba and Manyu Divisions in the SW region and Mezam, Ngoketunjia, Momo, Bui, Menchum, Donga Mantung and Boyo Division, in the NW region. The main subdivisions are already characterised by poor living conditions, especially for the population that has fled to the bush. The instability in the area has affected timely humanitarian interventions especially where access to IDP sites in the bush is hampered by different security developments which remain harsh and unpredictable. The deteriorating security situation has resulted in multiple population displacements across the NW/SW regions during the month of September 2020 with over 11,718 people forced to flee their homes to seek shelter in nearby bush and villages. The NW region has been most affected with over 10,200 displaced people affected in the month of September 2020. These movements are often temporary and the displaced return to their homes once the security situation allows. The locations where the IDPs have fled for safety include areas where they are living with relatives and friends in homes whose space is insufficient to provide the needed separation and privacy between the different ages and sex . The situation is reported to be worse in the bush where the IDPs sleep on the bare ground with no privacy and are exposed to harsh weather conditions and protection issues. Their vulnerability is further compounded by the lack of adequate household items, and the use of the provided plastic sheets (tarpaulins) to act as walls, which can easily be cut to allow unwanted intrusions. Besides, the plastic sheeting requires replacement after every few months as it is easily degraded by the hot climate. Inadequate lighting at night coupled with weak doors and windows and wall cladding materials for the IDP shelters, increases the risk of theft, night attacks and protection concerns
Response
It is estimated that more than 785,000 people will need assistance with shelter and / or NFI. Within this population in NWSW. As of December 2020 only 160,655 (23,720 households) vulnerable experienced a particularly critical situation , such as displaced persons living on a temporary and emergency basis in public buildings (schools, churches, mosques, etc.), those living with very vulnerable host families, in makeshift accommodation or even under the stars in the bush have been assisted
Gaps / challenges
Limited access into affected areas due to insecurity. Limited funding not able to meet multisectoral needs at the same time. Distributions are inconvenienced by multiple displacements of IDP’s making it difficult to build trust. Changing security situations and recurrent lockdowns Roads in bad conditions which made difficult the transport of kits Difficulty encountered with the authorities. Slowdown of activities. Systematic control of the kits at each distribution. Constant electricity and network failure made daily reporting very difficul
