‘There are over 30,000 Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria’ – UNHCR

UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that the number of Cameroonians fleeing violence and seeking refuge in Nigeria has crossed the 30,000-mark.

Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for UNHCR, said that the needs on the ground to cater for the refugees in Nigeria were outpacing donor efforts. Baloch said reports indicated that scores of people had been killed in English-speaking areas of Cameroon and thousands forced from their homes, including many who have sought refuge in Nigeria.

He said the situation was particularly worrying for women and children accounting for close to 80 per cent of arrivals and most refugees are sheltering in Nigeria’s south eastern areas, hosted by local communities.

The UNHCR boss said the refugee agency was facilitating voluntary relocation of refugees to settlements in Cross River and Benue provinces, which provide better security, shelter and access to essential services.

“Currently, more than 9,000 Cameroonian refugees have been moved to new settlements, where they receive food as well as essential items such as mattresses, mosquito nets, stoves and cooking utensils, as well as equipment to build shelters,” Baloch said. The UNHCR spokesperson added that women and girls were also being provided with dignity kits, including among other items, buckets, soap and towels. In some instances, cash assistance is provided to enable refugees buy food directly from the markets in host communities, helping facilitate the integration of those forced to flee and those welcoming them, he stated.

“However, despite the work of UNHCR and other aid organisations, the needs are far from being met and there are several challenges, including education opportunities for refugee children. The rainy season and harsh road conditions to remote areas make the assistance to the refugees outside of the newly-developed settlement very difficult, with acute needs for food, shelter, water and sanitation,” he said.