Internal displacement in Cameroon - why is the crisis neglected?

Wednesday 24 February 2021 | 18:00 - 19:30 CET

Join the discussion on Zoom

 

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, Cameroon is “topping the list of the world’s most neglected crises for a second year running”. The country has been experiencing several crises simultaneously; Boko Haram attacks in the North, a political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, and a refugee crisis. Many have fled their homes to seek safety as a result of continuing insecurity. Approximately 1.3 million Cameroonians are displaced. The country also hosts around 435 000 refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic due to political violence and unrest.

The African Migration report: challenging the narrative, states that "internally displaced persons (IDPs) do not receive the international protection that comes from crossing a national border in times of crisis”. What is the status for internally displaced people in Cameroon and what challenges do they face? Why is the displacement crisis in the country neglected? Who is providing assistance for IDPs in the country and what measures and/or solutions are in place for addressing the displacement?

 

An introduction will be given by Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh. He is currently senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa at NDI (National Democratic Institute). 

On the panel:

• Clémentine André is a monitoring expert of West and Southern Africa at IDMC (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre). She holds a MSc in Global Migration and a BA in International Relations. 
• NDES Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Cameroon. They aim to provide technical, material and financial assistance to IDPs and children in particular. 
• Gilbert Ajebe Akame is a human rights lawyer, activist and youth advocate. He is the cofounder of initiatives such as Contra Nocendi and Solidarity and Development Initiative (SODEI).
• Emil André Andersen, works as a VARP Coordinator (The Voluntary Assisted Return Programme) at IOM Oslo.

Our moderator for this event is Vegard Tjørhom, currently a journalist for NRK. He has previously worked for the Norwegian Church Aid. Tjørhom has covered several topics related to Cameroon.