United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Cameroon visits Maroua, Far North region

The United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Cameroon, Mr. Siaka Coulibaly, accompanied by some members of the Cameroon Humanitarian Country Team, is making his first humanitarian visit to Maroua, Capital of the Far North region of Cameroon, from 18 to 20 October 2023.

During his stay, Mr. Siaka will meet with regional authorities and various partners to assess the humanitarian situation, the progress made, the assistance and protection needs of the most vulnerable populations, as well as the response undertaken in the Far North region in support of the Government's action. During his visit, Mr. Siaka will visit sites for internally displaced persons in Bogo and Zamai, as well as the Gourengue transit centre, and the Minawao refugee camp. He will hold talks with people affected by the humanitarian crises and those involved in the response.

This visit is in line with the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Cameroon, launched jointly by the United Nations and the Government of Cameroon. Mr. Siaka will be looking at the complexity of the crises affecting the people of the Far North region, particularly the conflict in the Lake Chad basin, the impact of climatic hazards and epidemics. In this region, 1.6 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid, including a large number of internally displaced persons and refugees who are being hosted generously by the Government.

Humanitarian partners are mobilizing to contribute to the response and are working together with development actors to support the path towards sustainable solutions. In addition, the effects of climatic shocks and violence continue to have an impact on food security in the region, where almost one person in five was estimated to be in a crisis or emergency phase for the period from June to August 2023.

"As a result of these intersecting crises, hundreds of thousands of people have been affected in Cameroon in recent years. Meeting the public administrations, the communities and the various players who are working tirelessly to provide people with means of survival and subsistence is a priority for me", said Mr Siaka. "This visit will be an opportunity for me to enrich my understanding of the humanitarian context in the Far North region, but also to continue to establish partnerships to promote synergies between all the players and to advocate for the funding of the humanitarian response plan, which, as of 13 October 2023, was only 26% funded at national level", he added.