Cameroon: Situation Report, 28 February 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• An IED explosion in Nkambe kills one and injures over 100 people: humanitarian actors mobilize resources and provide relief.

• About 3,000 people fled violence in the South- West region between 16 and 26 February.

• North-West and South-West: children deprived of their right to learn.

• Far North: thousands of people displaced due to the Lake Chad basin conflict.

• Addressing the needs and rights of women and girls exposed to GBV in crises-affected areas in Cameroon.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE (28 Feb 2024) IED explosion in Nkambe kills one and injures over 100 people: humanitarian actors mobilize resources and provide relief

Nkambe, a town in the Ndonga-Mantung division in North-West Cameroon, was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion on 11 February 2024, during the celebrations of the National Youth Day. The incident killed one person, and injured 120 others, some of them critically. Most of the victims were children and women participating in the festivities.

The Nkambe Regional Hospital Annex (NRHA) received all the severe cases. The hospital was overwhelmed by the massive influx of patients with injuries and needed urgent medical supplies and referral means. Five severely injured patients were later transferred to the Bamenda Regional Hospital for better management. As of 20 February, 14 injured patients were still hospitalized, nine in Nkambe and five in Bamenda.

Humanitarian partners under the coordination of the Health Cluster lead, the World Health Organization (WHO), have been supporting the Nkambe Health district with lifesaving and response activities. Humanitarian partners have donated medical supplies. Interventions also included basic counselling and psychological first aid (PFA), case management, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and blood supply donations. A rapid needs assessment covering health, protection, shelter and education was conducted on 22 and 23 February. The incident highlighted the needs and challenges of access to health services in crisis-affected areas in the North- West region. Insecurity, the limited number of health partners operating in Donga-Mantung division, and the limited capacities and resources of medical facilities to take in charge heavy physical and mental trauma cases, are some of those main challenges. Humanitarian partners will continue to provide assistance to affected populations.