Attachments
In Cameroon, the protracted sociopolitical crisis in the North-West and South-West, Boko Haram attacks in the east, severe flooding in the Far North, and rising food prices continue to drive acute food insecurity. Restoring local agricultural activities is a critical strategy to boost food production, providing a cost-effective response to these humanitarian challenges. For instance, with a farming kit, a household can produce up to 1.9 tonnes of cereals and legumes – more than twice the value of the support provided.
Urgency of humanitarian agricultural assistance
In Cameroon, the humanitarian situation remains of concern. Insecurity persists in the Far North, North-West and South-West regions, with ongoing Boko Haram attacks and an increase in kidnappings in several villages. Moreover, due to prevailing insecurity in neighbouring countries, the influx of refugees into the Far North continues.
Natural hazards, such as floods and pockets of drought, significantly affect peoples’ livelihoods. In the north, the agricultural season was disrupted by intense and heavy rain in September, causing flooding in the departments of Logone et Chari, Mayo Danay and part of Mayo Kani. The floods destroyed thousands of hectares of crops and granaries and caused the loss of thousands of animals, which will have a major impact on households’ food security. Moreover, plant pests, such as caterpillar attacks on cereals due to drought in Benoué and Mayo Louti, continue to be a threat to production outcomes.
Finally, the rise in fuel and transport costs leading to higher food prices make it increasingly challenging for communities to afford and access food.
Supporting vulnerable, crisis-affected households with emergency agricultural assistance is crucial to enable them to quickly resume food production and laying down the foundations for longer term resilience.