Cameroon: North-West and South-West Situation Report No.85, 1 January to 31 March 2026

HIGHLIGHTS

• Education partners reached 37 per cent of the reprioritised target in Q1 2026 through non-formal learning, but critical gaps persist in areas like Momo division alongside ongoing attacks on education.
• Approximately, 554 children identified with severe acute malnutrition received life-saving treatment in partner-supported treatment centres.
• More than 1,700 protection violations were reported in the North-West and South-West regions
• Gender-based violence GBV partners reached 18,080 people mainly through prevention activities led by national actors, but critical gaps persist in survivor-centred and specialised services which remain limited.
• Child protection partners provided psychosocial support more than 16,000 people, but access gaps persist in high-risk divisions such as Momo, Donga Mantung and Meme.

SITUATION OVERVIEW / HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

Between January and March 2026, the humanitarian situation in the North West and South West (NWSW) regions remained severe, driven by armed conflict, insecurity, and deteriorating protection conditions for civilians. Clashes between state security forces (SSF) and non state armed groups (NSAGs) continued across most divisions. Civilians were regularly exposed to violence, intimidation and coercive measures imposed by armed actors.

Crisis related displacement persisted throughout the quarter, with repeated waves of forced movement recorded, particularly in Donga Mantung, Bui and Menchum divisions, as well as parts of the South West. Displacement followed armed attacks, intercommunal violence and armed confrontations, leading to entire villages being temporarily deserted and thousands of people fleeing to neighbouring communities or forested areas. In several locations, displaced households faced limited access to food, shelter, non food items (NFIs), health care and protection services, while ongoing insecurity constrained safe returns and disrupted livelihoods. Humanitarian assessments indicated growing vulnerabilities and declining coping capacities among affected populations.

Humanitarian needs remained high and multidimensional across the NWSW. The context of insecurity, marked by recurrent ghost towns and extortion, affected agricultural activities, food security, market access and cross border trade. Shelter and NFIs were consistently identified as urgent needs for newly displaced families, particularly following village burnings and forced evacuations. Protection concerns remained acute, with reports of killings, kidnappings for ransom, sexual violence, forced taxation and intimidation affecting women, children, traders, teachers and traditional leaders. Access to education and health services continued to be disrupted due to threats, abductions and the presence of armed actors near civilian infrastructure.

Humanitarian access remained constrained and unpredictable. NSAGs imposed localized ghost towns and ad hoc lockdowns, included those observed during the National Youth Day. The enforcement of “liberation taxes” significantly restricted civilian movement, particularly along key road corridors. In some areas, insecurity linked to armed groups further limited safe access, particularly during late day movements.

Overall, the operating environment in the NWSW at the end of March 2026 remained volatile, with sustained risks of further displacement, civilian harm and access deterioration. Persistent insecurity, a shrinking humanitarian presence and funding constraints are likely to exacerbate humanitarian needs in the coming months. Sustained coordination, protection focused programming and principled humanitarian access engagement remain critical to maintaining humanitarian reach and mitigating further deterioration.