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GNA Cameroon: Q&A with Cathie Monnie, UNHCR protection officer, Bertoua, Cameroon

Global Needs Assessment, 9 October 2008

What is the situation of the refugees from the Central African Republic?

The number of refugees from CAR arriving in Cameroon has almost tripled since 2007 from around 20,000 to 59,000 now. And, the influx of refugees, mainly Mbororo cattle herders from the north and northwest CAR, is still continuing. To provide protection to the refugees who are recognised prima facie by the Cameroon government, we keep track of the number of arrivals and every six months carry out registration in the new sites. This is not easy because the refugees are spread out over a very wide area in more than 60 different settlements. We have put in place a system to give documentation to the refugees at the same time as there are food distributions. Sometimes these documents are confiscated by the police and I have to make immediate interventions to recover them. When there is flagrant abuse, I take the case to the courts.

What are the difficulties for UNHCR working in this remote part of Cameroon?

The refugees are strung out along the border with CAR in a remote part of Cameroon. In the rainy season the roads are impassable and in the dry season they are very dusty. The big distances to reach the refugees make things difficult for us. For a long time, we had only two vehicles for 10 staff, so it was very difficult to deploy staff when we needed to intervene in cases where refugees were victims of violence or abuse. As the registrations coincide with food distributions, I often end up spending up to a month in the field. In 2007, I was the only protection staff member. Fortunately, since January 2008, the protection unit has expanded with the addition of two new staff members which has considerably lightened my load.

What are the things that strike you most about the situation of the refugees?

What really strikes me are the Mbororo refugees. They categorically refuse to return to their own country because they are the main target of the rebels. They don't understand why anyone would even put this question to them. They are very reserved and only express themselves when they have confidence in you. So, it's not surprising that for a long time they refused to be registered because there was a rumour that if they were registered they would be repatriated. Despite the precarious conditions that they live in, they remain very dignified and often refuse to talk about their misery. The Mbororos are extremely patient and respectful. They don't ask for anything and sometimes act like they have no rights. Whatever you do for them, they say 'thank you.'

What are the main problems the Mbororos face?

Overall, they all have the same problems. Many of them have been robbed of their herds and household goods. Others have had their children and parents kidnapped or they have been kidnapped, and only set free after paying huge ransoms. Those who couldn't pay the ransoms have had their children executed. They are reluctant to talk about cases of sexual abuse of women. Knowing these people, that's understandable because it is something extremely serious which would remove all the dignity of the woman.

Which basic needs and essential services are lacking?

The needs which need satisfying the most rapidly are those connected to health, education and subsistence. Most of the sites don't have health centres, and those that do exist are under-equipped and under-staffed. We are seeing increasing signs that the refugees want to become independent again. Some want to build up their herds, others are interested in learning about agriculture need support with agricultural materials. Some refugees have gone to Ngaoui and around Garoua where they have bought a piece of land and they want to be helped through this conversion to agriculture. The Mbororos are aware of the importance of school and are ready to send their children to school, but there are some difficulties to be overcome.

How would extra funding through the GNA help?

It would help us, along with the government, give refugee children access to schools; finance income generation projects; give psychological support to refugees who have been traumatised and those who are vulnerable; improve primary health care for refugees; and build or rehabilitate wells to give access to good quality water.

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Silent Success

Despite being chased from their homes in the Central African Republic and losing their livelihoods, Mbororo refugees have survived by embracing a new way of life in neighbouring Cameroon.

The Mbororo, a tribe of nomadic cattle herders from Central African Republic, started fleeing their villages in waves in 2005, citing insecurity as well as relentless targeting by rebel groups and bandits who steal their cattle and kidnap women and children for ransom.

They arrived in the East and Adamaoua provinces of Cameroon with nothing. Though impoverished, the host community welcomed the new arrivals and shared their scant resources. Despite this generosity, many refugees died of starvation or untreated illness.

Help arrived in 2007, when UNHCR and partner agencies began registering refugees, distributing food, digging and rehabilitating wells as well as building and supplying medical clinics and schools, which benefit refugees and the local community and promote harmony between them. The Mbororo were eager to learn a new trade and set up farming cooperatives. Though success didn't come immediately, many now make a living from their crops.

Mbororo refugees continue to arrive in Central African Republic - an average of 50 per month. The long-term goal is to increase refugees' self-reliance and reduce their dependency on humanitarian aid.

Silent Success

Crisis in the Central African Republic

Little has been reported about the humanitarian crisis in the northern part of the Central African Republic (CAR), where at least 295,000 people have been forced out of their homes since mid-2005. An estimated 197,000 are internally displaced, while 98,000 have fled to Chad, Cameroon or Sudan. They are the victims of fighting between rebel groups and government forces.

Many of the internally displaced live in the bush close to their villages. They build shelters from hay, grow vegetables and even start bush schools for their children. But access to clean water and health care remains a huge problem. Many children suffer from diarrhoea and malaria but their parents are too scared to take them to hospitals or clinics for treatment.

Cattle herders in northern CAR are menaced by the zaraguina, bandits who kidnap children for ransom. The villagers must sell off their livestock to pay.

Posted on 21 February 2008

Crisis in the Central African Republic

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Cameroon: A Silent Crisis

In Cameroon, more than 60,000 refugees have fled Central African Republic after systematic attacks by armed gangs. Despite the atrocities, this crisis has gone largely unnoticed by the international community - perhaps because it is overshadowed by the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. UNHCR is trying to address the enormous needs.
The Mbororo: A way of life at riskPlay video

The Mbororo: A way of life at risk

Systematic attacks on settlements in Central African Republic have forced more than 60,000 people from the Mbororo tribe to flee to neighbouring Cameroon. UNHCR is trying to help these nomadic herdsmen restart their lives.