The Central Emergency Response Fund allocates $4 million for flood response

Yaounde, 18 November 2024 – The Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, approved the allocation of US$4 million rapid response, from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to provide urgent assistance to people affected by flooding in the Far North region of Cameroon.

The CERF rapid response allocation will complement ongoing efforts by authorities and communities and enable humanitarian partners to provide emergency food aid, shelter and essential household items, as well as primary health services, access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities, and support to children whose access to school has been disrupted. Priority will be given to the most severely affected regions of Logone et Chari and Mayo-Danay.

Since mid-July 2024, torrential rains have caused severe flooding in the Far North region. More than 450,000 people have been affected, some 56,000 houses have been destroyed and 85,000 hectares of arable land have been flooded, impacting agricultural production. Access to some essential services including water, sanitation, education and health has been disrupted. Some 65 health centres and 263 schools have been affected. Many areas remain only accessible by boat and are at high risk of waterborne diseases.

“Severe flooding in the Far North region is exacerbating the pre-existing needs of populations already affected by the Lake Chad basin crisis and recurrent climate-related crises. The CERF allocation will increase the operational capacity of humanitarian actors and enable them to respond quickly to vital needs. It will also help to strengthen advocacy for the mobilisation of additional resources from donors and the importance of anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction,” said Issa Sanogo, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon.

Note to editors:

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, the Central Emergency Response Fund is a humanitarian funding mechanism managed by OCHA that enables a more rapid and effective response to the vital needs of populations affected by natural disasters, armed conflict, or underfunded crises. Funding decisions for underfunded emergencies are based on detailed analysis of more than 90 humanitarian indicators and wide consultations with partners.

In 2023, the CERF has allocated $6.3 million for urgent needs of people affected by humanitarian crises in Cameroon.