Africa - Western
Cameroon ranks 153 out of 189 on the Human Development Index (HDI). CARE International has worked in Cameroon since 1978, collaborating with government stakeholders to respond to humanitarian needs.
CARE International has worked in Cameroon since 1978. Since then, in collaboration with various government stakeholders and development actors, we focus on access to water, environmental protection, food security, and HIV prevention.
In recent years, violence in the Lake Chad Basin has led to mass displacement and an increase in humanitarian needs across northeastern Nigeria, Cameroon's Far North region, western Chad, and southeastern Niger.
Humanitarian needs in Cameroon are increasing due to the escalation and intensification of violence and insecurity in recent years, as well as from the impact of COVID-19. In response, CARE Cameroon is working in the Far North and north regions to distribute emergency cash and health kits, promote community hygiene and nutrition and construct shelters.
“Before COVID, the community didn’t really pay attention to us. Now we have a lot of power to make change – when we talk, people listen. It’s completely changed how we are perceived and treated.” - Female health worker, Uganda
More than 160,000 people have been displaced, dozens killed and attacked as tensions are rising in the South-West and North-West Regions of Cameroon. A total of 3.5 million inhabitants are affected by this crisis - 16% of Cameroon population.
Life for many of the communities in the far north of Cameroon is one of constant fear and uncertainty. Thousands have been forced to flee for their lives after violent attacks by armed groups from neighbouring Nigeria, and an estimated 130,000 people have been displaced within the country
The COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa is currently exacerbating socio-economic issues, with women bearing the largest burden of caring for their families while also seeking to lead communities in prevention and adaptation.
With CARE’s fourth global Suffering In Silence report, we are starting to see a trend of certain countries annually remaining on the list of the most under-reported crises. While we expanded the analysis in 2019 by including Spanish and Arabic online media coverage (in addition to English, French and German), the results are surprisingly similar to previous years.
The year 2017 was marked by scores of humanitarian crises: armed conflicts, devastating natural disasters, climate shocks, hunger, millions of people fleeing their homes.
In FY2024, CARE worked around the world, contributing to saving lives, fighting poverty, and increasing social justice.
