A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Following the overthrow of President François Bozizé, a major humanitarian crisis began in May 2013 that led to the displacement of thousands of CAR nationals. Many fled to neighbouring countries like the DRC, Congo, Chad and Cameroon. They arrived in very miserable conditions; some with wounds, and others malnourished.
The appeal was revised several times to take into account the influx of more refugees, persistent armed clashes in CAR, and the needs of the host population. Various IFRC, Cameroon Red Cross staff and volunteers were briefed, trained and deployed to provide assistance to those in need. Services in emergency shelter, food and non-food items distribution, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, emergency health and care, restoration of family links (RFL) and disaster preparedness and risk reduction were provided. This was done in collaboration with partners such as the Cameroon government, ICRC, the French Red Cross,
UNHCR, UNFPA, World Food Program (WFP), ECHO, African Humanitarian Association (AHA), International Relief and Development (IRD), MSF (Médecins sans Frontières) and Première Urgence.
These actions of the EPoA have significantly improved the living conditions of the refugees and host populations, and guaranteed them some measure of dignity. The capacities of Cameroon Red Cross volunteers and staff were also significantly enhanced through this operation. However, insufficient funding, violence perpetrated by some of these refugees on humanitarian workers, harsh climatic conditions and lack of sufficient volunteer time hampered the smooth running of the operation. Other issues such as the riot caused by some refugees at the Guiwa refugee site which resulted in the abduction of the UNHCR Head of Sub office, and caused serious security concerns. This led to the UNHCR leaving the site and the full responsibility of these refugees to the Cameroon Red Cross, under the supervision of IFRC.
The violence in CAR has abated, but the situation is still volatile and uncertain. Similarly the security situation in Cameroon was severely affected by incursions into the country orchestrated by armed groups from CAR; and several cases of harassment and kidnapping were reported in border localities. Some refugees mostly men, mustered courage to return home, leaving their families behind. Cameroonian security forces continue to work tirelessly to protect people and their property. To date, the UNHCR reports that there are still more than 224,000 CAR refugees in Cameroon, who still need assistance in various sectors. Most of them are still based in the East Region of Cameroon.