CERF grants $7 million to Cameroon for underfunded emergencies

Yaounde, 18 November 2024 – The Acting Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, approved the allocation of US$7 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support Cameroon’s underfunded emergency response.

“This allocation will provide a strong and comprehensive response to the most urgent needs of the people in the Far North, North-West and South-West regional. At a time when humanitarian organisations are facing critical levels of underfunding, forcing many to make difficult choices, this allocation will provide much needed lifesaving assistance to hundreds of thousands of most vulnerable people,” said Issa Sanogo, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon.

To complement ongoing efforts by authorities, communities and other partners, the allocation will also help address some of the most urgent needs related to the recent severe flooding in the Far North region. As of end of October 2024, only 39 per cent of the Humanitarian response Plan 2024 has been funded.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners will provide and support critical treatment of severe acute and moderate malnutrition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners will provide and strengthen essential health services. The protection sector has also been prioritised. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and partners will provide vital gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health services as well as protection and child protection services. UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and partners will deliver key shelter and non-food items response.

According to the 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview, 3.4 million people in Cameroon are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Humanitarian Response Plan requires $371.4 million to reach 2.3 million of the most vulnerable people across the country.

To strengthen timely access to vulnerable populations and the sustainability of humanitarian assistance, the allocation will place a strong emphasis on the work of, and collaboration with national NGOs in affected areas. The allocation will also support the use of multi-purpose cash modalities in line with the preferences, access and feasibility of the affected population.

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.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Perrin, Head of Office, OCHA Cameroon, perrink@un.org
Bibiane Mouangue, Public Information Officer, OCHA Cameroon, bibiane.mouangue@un.org
Press releases from OCHA are available at www.unocha.org/cameroon and https://reliefweb.int/country/cmr More about CERF: https://cerf.un.org/