Cameroon: North-West and South-West - Situation Report No. 58 (September-October 2023)

This report is produced by OCHA Cameroon in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 1 September to 31 October 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• At least 3,400 persons internally displaced in September and October in the NWSW.

• 364 children identified with severe acute malnutrition.

• Only 3,900 of the 6,351 schools in the NWSW reopened in September 2023, amid attacks on education.

• 11 humanitarian workers temporarily held in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions.

• 114 cholera cases and five deaths reported in three health districts in the South-West.

• The underfunding of humanitarian aid continues to deprive hundreds of thousands of people in the North-West and South-West of humanitarian assistance.

SITUATION OVERVIEW / HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

September was marked with a two-week lockdown, called by non-Sate armed groups (NSAGs) from 4 to 18 September 2023, in the North-West and South-West regions (NWSW). This affected the start of the 2023-2024 academic year in both regions. During this period, attacks on education increased with several educational facilities burnt, teachers abducted and some of them killed.

In the North-West, displacements were recorded due to the ongoing violence, clashes between State security forces (SSF) and NSAG or infighting among the different NSAGs. In September, 1,449 persons fled their homes in the North-West region. In October, an additional 440 people were newly displaced in the North-West. Up to 77 per cent of the displacement were recorded in Donga-Mantung division. This is the first time in recent years that the Donga-Mantung division has reported the biggest number of displacements. In the South-West 731 and 805 new displacements were recorded in September and October respectively.

In both regions, the implementation of humanitarian activities in some areas and/or by some sectors was limited throughout September and October. Due to funding gaps and lockdown, no shelter/non-food items interventions took place despite displacements observed. In the North-West, the bridge connecting Bamali to Ndop, which is an important transportation axis, got cut off before the lockdown. Although temporary reparations were attempted, the road remained inaccessible throughout September.

The health situation remains of concern, with the cholera epidemic still affecting the region. The Health Cluster reported 108 cases and five deaths in Buea, Tiko and Tombel health districts as of end of October.
During the September-October period, 11 humanitarian workers were temporarily held by NSAGs during field missions.