Cameroun © Pierre-William Henry

Cameroon

© Pierre-William Henry

3.4 million

people require humanitarian assistance and protection (OCHA, 2024)

1 million

internally displaced persons

Background in brief

The humanitarian situation in Cameroon remains extremely worrying due to complex and persistent crises. The country is affected by conflicts in three areas: the Lake Chad region in the north, affected by violence linked to armed groups; the English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West, where clashes are exacerbating the vulnerability of millions of people and causing large numbers to move to other parts of the country; and the East regions, where the influx of refugees from the Central African Republic is putting additional pressure on local resources.

Since 2013, Médecins du Monde has been working in Cameroon to provide humanitarian and medical aid to the most vulnerable populations. Faced with multiple humanitarian crises affecting the country, our mission focuses on access to healthcare, protection for victims of violence and support for affected communities.

Overview of the main activities we carry out in Cameroon

Prevention and management of violence

  • Support for victims of gender-based violence

    Gender-based violence is a major challenge in certain regions of Cameroon. In partnership with regional hospitals in Bamenda and Bafoussam, we have set up integrated care units (UNIPEC) to provide victims with medical, psychological, social and legal support. This initiative has helped hundreds of victims of gender-based violence, thereby strengthening their safety and resilience.
    At the same time, large-scale awareness-raising campaigns are being carried out in communities to prevent gender-based violence and inform people about the resources available to them.

  • Academic support and violence prevention in schools

    The education sector is also part of Médecins du Monde’s field of action. In collaboration with local education stakeholders, we work to make schools safe spaces for children.

    Awareness programmes on violence have been rolled out in several schools, and thousands of internally displaced children have received educational and recreational support to promote their well-being and integration.

    At the same time, a charter on non-violence and the fight against abuse has been introduced in around ten schools to promote a healthy and protective educational environment.

École située à Kongleto, Cameroun, photographiée par Médecins du Monde Suisse. Mai 2022

© MdM Switzerland

Improving maternal, neonatal and child health

Médecins du Monde supports the West and North-West Health District to improve the health of pregnant women and young children and to combat maternal and neonatal mortality.

Improving access to maternal, neonatal and infant healthcare is one of our priorities.

  • Access to healthcare

    In 2023, our activities helped improve services in 28 health facilities, notably through training and equipment for healthcare workers.

    In partnership with community leaders, we raised awareness of reproductive health issues among more than 65,000 people and provided deworming treatment and vitamin A supplements to more than 35,000 children.