Summary:
Since July 2014, a large number of Nigerian refugees have been crossing the border into Cameroon, fleeing armed clashes. So far, about 35,000 refugees have been registered by UNHCR. About 30,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have also been reported, following clashes at the border where some villages and towns have been attacked. In a bid to assist these vulnerable persons, this emergency appeal was launched for 25,000 beneficiaries (5,000 refugee families that have fled Nigeria to Cameroon, Cameroon-based IDPs, and host communities in the Far North Region). Targeted sectors of intervention include health activities that specifically focus on the chronically ill, pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly, WASH activities, hygiene promotion and awareness campaigns in communities and inside Minawao camp to equally benefit refugee and host communities, food security, nutrition and livelihoods support for 1,000 families in order to improve their agricultural capacity, and various training sessions covering planned intervention topics aimed at building the capacity of volunteers.
So far, a regional disaster response team (RDRT) member has arrived Maroua to oversee the implementation of planned activities. He has started briefing by IFRC, NS and ICRC staff. The French Red Cross, sole partner national society in the country and present on the ground has been informed of his presence. This briefing will continue on the field to finalize details of actions. The NS has designated a resource person at headquarters to serve as national focal point of the operation and with whom the RDRT member will work in the field.
Furthermore, at regional level, a regional focal point of the divisional committee will accompany them in the implementation of activities. So far, training tools are being printed and a health coordination mission to launch the training is already on the ground. Furthermore, the disaster manager of the national society is on mission in Maroua to brief local committee focal points concerned by this operation on the implementation of activities. In coordination with the ICRC, local committee volunteers are also undergoing refresher training on first aid in a bid to update their knowledge. These volunteers are providing first aid to the target population. NFI procurement arrangements are underway and arrangements are being made for their transportation to the field.
This update requests an additional allocation of CHF 20,754 to help set up a computer room at the Cameroon Red Cross headquarters, train NS staff in the use of radio frequency and radio equipment and in security and Elearning.
The major donors to this appeal include the British, Canadian (from Canadian Government) Japanese, Monaco and Swedish Red Cross Societies. Details of all donors can be found on: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MDRCM021.pdf
