West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (12 - 18 December 2017)

CAMEROON

UNREST FORCES 7,000 TO FLEE TO NIGERIA

More than 7,000 people have fled Cameroon’s crisis-hit English-speaking regions to neighbouring Nigeria since October. UNHCR and Nigeria’s refugee commission have registered 5,200 in Cross River and Taraba states. Around 2,000 others are awaiting registration. Cameroonian security forces recently launched a crackdown against a separatist movement in the NorthWest and South-West regions where protests erupted last year over alleged Government marginalisation.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

AID WORKER KILLED IN ATTACK ON NORTHERN TOWN

Two aid groups on 10 December suspended operations in the northern Kabo town due to insecurity and the killing of a humanitarian worker, prompting staff relocation. The aid organizations had been assisting around 100,000 people - displaced people and the host community. Regular clashes between armed groups, attacks on aid workers and their premises have greatly strained humanitarian assistance in many regions.

NIGER

MENINGITIS SICKENS 40, KILLS ONE

Health authorities on 11 December recorded 40 cases of meningitis and one death in a village in the eastern Zinder region. The patients are being treated and the authorities say the situation is under control. The meningitis epidemiological season runs from December to June and affects several countries in the African “meningitis belt” stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia.

NIGERIA

FOUR KILLED IN AID CONVOY AMBUSH

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon has condemned the deadly ambush on an aid convoy in the north-eastern Borno state on 16 December. Four people were killed in the attack and relief supplies destroyed. Despite major challenges, humanitarian organisations have assisted more than 5 million conflict-affected people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states since the start of the year.

FIRE DESTROYS SHELTERS IN IDP CAMP

Fire razed 25 shelters on 9 December at a camp for the displaced in Monguno locality in the north-eastern Borno state. Aid groups are working to provide shelter and other relief materials to the affected households. In October, two children were killed in a fire accident in the camp. The site hosts 24,000 people. The harmattan season often heightens risks of fire outbreaks. Humanitarian organizations are increasing preparedness and awareness campaigns in camps and host communities on fire safety.

WEST AFRICA

OVER 5 MILLION NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE

This year’s cereal harvests reached 68.3 million tons, four per cent higher than last season and 13 per cent above the five-year average, according to West Africa’s Food Crisis Prevention Network. However, significant shortfalls have been observed in several countries, especially in Cabo Verde and Mauritania. Pasture deficits have also been observed in parts of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, where a tough lean season is expected. Overall, 5.2 million people in the region need food assistance. The figure could reach 9.6 million by August 2018 if no adequate measures are taken.