Cameroon: North-West and South-West - Situation Report No. 72 (December 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

• 220 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) received treatment in partner-supported treatment centres.

• 2,332 children accessed GBV risk mitigation, prevention or response interventions.

• By the end of 2024, due to drastic decline in funding, the shelter cluster had assisted 30,686 persons over the 238,640 planned.

SITUATION OVERVIEW / HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

The humanitarian situation in the North-West and South-West regions (NWSW) remains influenced by the volatile security context. Civilians continue to face threats, including from crossfire, abductions, and improvised explosive device (IED).
On 7 December 2024, three IED explosions were reported in different locations of Bamenda (Mezam division) as non-State armed groups (NSAGs) enforced a lockdown, resulting in at least one civilian casualty. Lockdowns continued on subsequent Saturdays throughout the month. A similar localized lockdown was enforced in Jakiri,
Kumbo division.
Civilians in the North-West and South-West regions continue to face movement restrictions, abductions for ransom, extortion, and illegal taxation. These incidents occur in both public and private spaces, most victims are commuters who come across illegal checkpoints. Such restrictions greatly limit access to essential services, including humanitarian assistance.
In December, at least two security incidents affecting humanitarian personnel were recorded in NWSW. Meanwhile, the government’s ban on movment via sea ways in Ndian division (SW) remains in effect. The ban was imposed in October 2024 after the abduction of the Divisional Officer of Idabato on 1 October. But since November 2024 and following negotiations held by OCHA, SW Governor allows humanitarian organizations to use the sea route after obtaining prior authorisation from his office. Due to insecurity and poor road conditions, partners have relied on this route to access Ndian.
During this reporting period, OCHA led a joint UN mission to some communities in Manyu and Meme divisions.