Cameroon: North-West and South-West Situation Report No.77- May 2025

This report is produced by OCHA Cameroon in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 01-31st May 2025.

HIGHLIGHTS

• At least three attacks on education, including kidnapping and threats against learners and teachers.
• Life-saving treatment provided to 225 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) at partner-supported treatment centres.
• Seventeen mobile clinics deployed to eight health districts in the North-West and two in the South-West, reaching 1,220 people.
• Fourteen health facilities supported with essential medicines, post-rape kits, medical supplies, and funding for operational costs.

1.5 MILLION People in need of assistance

Source: Humanitarian Needs Overview 2025

862,516 Targeted for assistance.

Source: Humanitarian Response Plan 2025

334,098 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Sources: Humanitarian Needs Overview 2025

494,447 Returnees (former IDPs and refugees)

Source: Humanitarian Needs Overview 2025

87,754 Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria

Source: UNHCR, 1June 2025

SITUATION OVERVIEW / HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

The situation in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions remains volatile and unpredictable, with regular clashes between State security forces (SSFs) and non-State armed groups (NSAGs). Civilians continue to face violence and serious threats, including kidnappings for ransom, targeted killings, arbitrary arrests, and other forms of violence. Tensions escalated further around the celebration of the National Day on 20 May, as NSAGs enforced a lockdown aimed at disrupting celebrations, leading to a rise in attacks on civilians. In addition, three attacks against education were reported, two in the NW and one in the SW.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) remain a major concern. At least 15 incidents involving IEDs were reported, with 11 in the North-West (NW) and 4 in the South-West (SW). While SSFs were the main targets, two incidents in Bamenda 2 subdivision, NW, reportedly targeted civilians who did not comply with the lockdown. No civilian injuries were reported. However, the ongoing use of IEDs in public places and along key roads continues to endanger civilians and humanitarian workers, further hindering access for humanitarian operations.

A severe funding gap is affecting the humanitarian response. Many organizations have been compelled to scale down, cancel planned activities, or reduce staffing. According to reports from the nutrition cluster, partners are withdrawing from critical areas and cutting back on nutrition programmes. This situation is putting malnourished children at greater risk. Furthermore, a key partner with a widespread presence in the NWSW has suspended its monitoring of internal displacement. This has significantly hampered efforts to provide urgent, life-saving support to newly displaced populations.

These developments highlight the critical challenges faced by the affected population and humanitarian actors in the NWSW, as insecurity and underfunding threaten the delivery of essential assistance.