The President of the Republic, H.E. Paul BIYA, has instituted a special plan to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) and victims of abuses in the North-West and South-West Regions.
The 18-month Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Plan was unveiled in Yaounde on Wednesday 20 June 2018 by the Prime Minister, Head of Government.
Both regions have registered over 74,966 IDPs after lawless individuals hijacked the legitimate concerns raised by some English-speaking lawyers and teachers with acts of terrorism.
The main objective of the 12.7 billion CFAF humanitarian relief fund is to protect the IDPs, facilitate the resumption of economic and agricultural activities, and promote togetherness. This will be achieved through the provision of food and basic needs – healthcare, education, and housing.
Background
1) The socio-political crisis in the North West and South West Regions started with some concerns raised by some lawyers and teachers of English expression in the two Regions.
2) The Government has been taking measures to dialogue with representatives of the two socio-professional groups. Two Ad Hoc Committees were created to this effect in November 2016, on the instruction of the Head of State.
3) The Head of State took important measures to respond to the concerns raised by the teachers and lawyers of English expression. The Head of State has provided more than what was requested.
4) Representatives of the teachers' trade unions have continued to dialogue with the Government.
5) The President of the Republic went further and created the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM) which is currently at work.
6) Terrorists have transformed such legitimate concerns into an opportunity to create terror in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
7) Acts of terrorism are directed on schools, economic activities, security forces, and administrative and traditional authorities.
8) These acts of terror have resulted in the death of many security officials: 84 deaths have been recorded.
9) The Head of State is working to restore peace and security in the two Regions in line with the laws and regulations in force.
10) Terrorist activities have led to internal displacement of some people, while others have sought refuge in foreign neighbouring and friendly country.
11) Under the authority of the President of the Republic, the Government is responding to the problem of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and wishes to increase support measures in collaboration with its partners and people of good will.
12) In the face of these challenges, the Head of State has instructed the putting in place of the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Plan for the North West and South West Regions, placed under the supervision of the Minister of Territorial Administration, with a budget of 12.7 billion CFAF.
13) The call for solidarity and generosity to finance this humanitarian plan is not new to Cameroonians. A similar show of solidarity and generosity was recorded in the case of the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram.
14) The following areas have been identified as priority: protection of displaced persons, food and basic needs, healthcare, education, the resumption of the economic and agricultural activities, housing, and the reconstitution of individual administrative documents.
