259,145
CAR refugees registered by UNHCR in rural areas in the East, Adamaoua and North regions, of which 158,418 arrived since December 2013
66,086
Nigerian refugees in the Far North region (of which 57,835 are registered at Minawao camp)
190,591
Internally Displaced Persons in the Far North region (source: DTM by IOM as of June 2016)
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
The security situation in the Far North region remains of concern. Despite the security measures taken by the Cameroonian authorities to prevent Boko Haram’s attacks, the Islamist sect continued to perpetrate raids in the border areas of Cameroon. The Logone et Chari and Mayo Sava Divisions were particularly targeted resulting in killings, lootings and cattle robbery. These attacks also provoked the internal displacement of about 8,000 Cameroonian civilians within other areas in this Region. In addition, the Governor of the Far North Region decided on the closure of the cattle market of Meme which had been used by Boko Haram as a means of supply. In response to these various incidents, the defense and security forces are on maximum alert.
On 10 August, the Ministry of Health and UNHCR signed a Convention related to the coverage of the refugee sanitary needs by the national health infrastructures of the East, the Adamaoua, the North and the Far North regions. This Convention determines that as of January 2017, 30 % of the sanitary expenses of the CAR and Nigerian refugees in these regions will be supported by the Government of Cameroon and 70 % by UNHCR.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
UNHCR continues to registered and transfer spontaneous arrivals from the transit center of Gourenguel to Minawao camp. Over the reporting period, a total of 420 people (163 households) spontaneously arrived at the transit center where was registered and transferred to Minawao camp. Over the past few weeks, an increase of the number of new arrivals at the transit center has been observed. According to the new arrivals, this is due to the current worrisome security situation in the border villages and the difficult living conditions in IDP camps in Nigeria. Indeed, the new arrivals came from border villages of Doudble, Tchakamari and Fotokol, and the IDP camps of Fufore and Damare in the North East of Nigeria.
Boko Haram attacks in the Logone et Chari and Mayo Savo Divisions over past weeks provoked fresh displacements of some 8,000 Cameroonians fleeing their villages to seek security in other areas within the Far North Region. UNHCR and other aid workers are coordinating efforts to provide immediate assistance to those new displaced in dire need of food, health, shelters and NFIs, etc.
UNHCR and the Cameroonian Government pursued the biometric verification and registration exercise of all refugees and asylum seekers and began on 3 August the enrolment of refugees living off-site in the North region. In total, 8, 228 refugees living in Mbai-Boum, Man Regara and Ouro Souley were verified over the reporting period. The biometric verification and registration in the North region, targeting refugees living outside sites is currently ongoing. Since the beginning of the biometric verification and registration in the East, Adamaoua and North regions, in February 2016, 76,696 refugees have been verified. The biometric verification and registration exercise aims to ensure the better protection and assistance of refugees by verifying and updating their profiles, including information on specific needs.
To improve livelihood and develop the empowerment of refugees, UNHCR organized on 24 August, together with the National Fund for Employment, training on the techniques of job searching and selfemployment targeting 42 urban refugees to strengthen their capacities in the search of remunerated employment and the creation of income generating activities.