Cameroon and UNHCR: Building Durable Solutions Through Partnership, Solidarity and Innovation

As humanitarian funding pressures intensify globally, Cameroon is emerging as a compelling example of how strong national leadership, strategic partnerships, and UN system-wide collaboration can move refugee protection beyond emergency response to durable and development-oriented solutions.

Today, Cameroon hosts over two million forcibly displaced people, including more than 407,000 refugees mainly from the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nigeria, in addition to over a million internally displaced persons and returnees. In a region often defined by instability, cross‑border movements, and sustained displacement pressures, this approach reflects how responsibility‑sharing between the Government and its international partners aligns national policies with global humanitarian and development frameworks.

At the center of this approach is UNHCR’s community-centered model, anchored in Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2030 (SND30). Rather than creating parallel systems, the strategy focuses on including refugees into national plans and programmes—strengthening social cohesion, resilience, and sustainable self-reliance. A clear and powerful example of this commitment was recently recognized through the awarding of the UNHCR Global Nansen Refugee Award to Chief Azia of Gado, whose leadership has exemplified solidarity and compassion toward refugees   in the East Region.

Education as a Foundation for Inclusion

One of the most visible outcomes of this inclusive approach is in education. In close collaboration with the Government of Cameroon and Education Cannot Wait, UNICEF, UNESCO and WFP, UNHCR has supported the enrollment of more than 47,000 refugee children in formal education, with an additional 6,400 enrolled in non-formal learning programmes.

By supporting public schools with learning materials, classrooms, and WASH facilities, these interventions benefit both refugee and host community children. Education has thus become a powerful tool not only for learning, but for peaceful coexistence and community cohesion in refugee-hosting areas.

Integrated Healthcare That Saves Lives

Healthcare inclusion is another pillar of Cameroon’s model. Working closely with the Ministry of Health and UN partners, UNHCR has supported the inclusion of more than 99,000 refugees into the national health system, enabling access to subsidized care for malaria, maternal health, HIV, and other priority conditions.

This collaboration proved critical during the last cholera outbreak in Minawao refugee camp, where a coordinated response led to the vaccination of 80,980 refugees and host community members, reaching an impressive 98.54% coverage rate. The response highlighted the effectiveness of government-led systems supported by UN coordination.

Food Security and Nutrition: A Strong UN Partnership with WFP

Food security and nutrition remain among the most urgent needs for refugees and displaced populations in Cameroon—particularly in the Far North and Eastern regions. In this context, deepened collaboration between UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) has been critical.

Together, UNHCR and WFP have responded to the food and nutritional needs of Nigerian refugees and displaced populations in the Far North, as well as Central African refugees in Cameroon’s eastern façade. Through coordinated food assistance, nutrition screening, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, the partnership has helped stabilize food consumption and reduce malnutrition risks.

Complementing this effort, UNHCR has worked with UNICEF, WFP, and partners to improve the nutritional status of 4,522 children under five and 2,683 pregnant and lactating women—an investment with long-term implications for child survival and development.

During the 2024 floods, which affected more than 21,000 out-of-camp refugees, a coordinated UN response—supported by CERF funding — enabled the timely delivery of critical nutritional assistance, including Enov’mum and Nutributter, reinforcing the importance of joint preparedness and response mechanisms.

Localizing the SDGs Through Urban Planning and Inclusion: Joint Action with UN‑Habitat

Moving beyond humanitarian assistance toward sustainable, development‑oriented solutions, UNHCR is working closely with UN‑Habitat, the Government of Cameroon, and local authorities under a Joint SDG Programme to strengthen inclusive urban planning in the Far North. Implemented between December 2024 and December 2025, the initiative focuses on the municipalities of Mokolo and Fotokol, where rapid urbanization, climate pressures, and forced displacement have strained basic services and infrastructure.

Under the joint programme, UN‑Habitat leads efforts to integrate sustainable human settlements and SDG 11 principles into municipal spatial planning, while UNHCR strengthens the participation and capacities of refugees, internally displaced persons, women, youth, and persons with disabilities within local decision‑making structures. Through coordinated planning, investment‑ready local development projects are being identified in areas such as clean energy access, waste management, digital connectivity, low‑carbon construction, and biodiversity preservation, benefiting an estimated 562,000 people.

Identity, Protection and Access to Services

Effective protection depends on legal identity. In partnership with the Government of Cameroon, UNHCR has implemented a landmark biometric registration initiative—the first of its kind in Central Africa. Over 33,000 refugees have been registered, with nearly 21,000 biometric ID cards already issued by the Directorate General for National Security.

While public debate has emerged around these IDs, UNHCR emphasizes their strictly humanitarian purpose: protecting rights, facilitating access to services, and enabling freedom of movement—all essential for self-reliance.

Land, Agriculture and Self-Reliance

With legal documentation in place, refugees are increasingly able to pursue livelihoods. In collaboration with local authorities, more than 650 hectares of land have been allocated for refugee farming in the Far North and East regions, benefiting over 1,000 refugees.

Through partnerships with FAO and the ILO, refugees—particularly women‑led enterprises—are accessing vocational training in agriculture and agro‑processing, supporting decent work, food security, and local economic inclusion.

These initiatives, supported by UNHCR and partners, are now being positioned for private sector engagement, linking humanitarian action with local economic development and food security.

Sustaining Progress Amid Funding Constraints

While significant advances abound, Cameroon’s refugee response faces growing challenges due to declining global humanitarian funding. Among the most urgent initiatives at risk is the voluntary repatriation of Central African and Nigerian refugees, a cornerstone of sustainable and dignified solutions.

“Cameroon stands out for its steadfast commitment to protection and inclusion,” says Yvette Muhimpundu, UNHCR Representative in Cameroon. “But sustaining progress and expanding impact will depend on renewed international solidarity and shared responsibility.”

With renewed momentum from the Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva in December 2025, Cameroon’s experience demonstrates that when governments, UN agencies, donors, civil society, and communities work together, refugee responses can evolve from crisis management to long-term recovery and development.

UNHCR’s work in Cameroon is not only about protecting people forced to flee—it is about building systems, strengthening communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind.