Cameroon

2012 UNHCR country operations profile - Cameroon

Working environment

The context

Cameroon hosts a relatively large number of refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from the Central African Republic and Chad. The global financial crisis has resulted in higher prices for basic commodities and services in Cameroon. While measures have been taken by the Government to reduce prices, their impact is not yet visible. Meanwhile the political climate has shown signs of tension, with some sporadic violence.

Cameroon is a signatory to all major international and regional instruments on refugees, including the Refugee Convention of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol as well as the 1969 OAU Convention. Generally, the country has a generous protection policy, although the legal framework still lacks a Commission for eligibility and appeals, impeding implementation of the 2005 Refugee Law.

The needs

The non-implementation of the 2005 Refugee Act compels UNHCR to assume responsibility for all registration, refugee status determination (RSD) and documentation activities in the urban context. Access to legal remedies remains limited for various reasons for all refugees. There are few avenues open to most urban refugees, especially the most vulnerable, to break out of poverty.

A residual group of Nigerian refugees, who settled in the Adamaoua and north-west regions, do not wish to return home. Their integration is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Some 3,000 Chadian refugees living in Langui Camp have no opportunity for voluntary repatriation, due to the absence of a tripartite agreement. This population is still largely dependent on humanitarian assistance.

In the Adamaoua and eastern regions, Central African refugees are slowly finding work in agriculture and farming as alternative sources of livelihood, but still remain dependent on support for basic needs and essential services. With the recent discontinuation of general food distribution, their food security is a matter of concern.

Main objectives and targets for 2012

Fair protection processes and documentation

The standard of registration and profiling is maintained for refugees and asylum-seekers in urban areas.

• Registration data for refugees and asylum-seekers in urban areas is updated on a continuous basis.

• Status determination conducted for some 1,800 asylum-seekers by UNHCR.

Civil-status documentation is strengthened for stateless persons.

• The authorities are assisted to issue civil documentation for some 3,000 stateless people.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized for Chadian Refugees in the North.

• A tripartite agreement is concluded between UNHCR and the governments of Cameroon and Chad.

• Safe and dignified return transport is provided for some 1,500 Chadian refugees.

The potential for the local integration of Nigerian refugees in the north-west and Adamaoua regions is realized.

• Measures to facilitate the social integration of some 3,000 Nigerian refugees in the north-west and Adamaoua regions are implemented.

Community participation and self-management

The level of self-reliance and quality of livelihoods among Central African Refugees in the east and Adamaoua regions are improved.

• Support for animal husbandry is provided to some 2,000 households of Central African refugees.

• Microcredit support is provided to about 500 Central African refugee women and men.

• Targeted training is offered to some 1,200 Central African refugees

• Support for crop production helps about 4,000 households of Central African refugees.

Strategy and activities in 2012

UNHCR will continue to provide international protection and conduct RSD for refugees in urban areas. It will also focus on building the capacity of government partners to take on RSD responsibilities in a gradual manner, while encouraging the authorities to grant residence permits to refugees in protracted situations in urban areas.

Prior to the implementation of the cessation clause for the Rwandese refugees in 2012, UNHCR will promote their repatriation through go-and-see visits to Rwanda and facilitate the voluntary return of all those willing to do so. Efforts will also continue to facilitate voluntary repatriation to other countries of origin, while seeking resettlement opportunities for cases with protection or special needs.

The assistance programme for the refugees from the Central African Republic is at a critical stage following the discontinuation of general food distribution by WFP. As part of its plans for 2012, UNHCR is putting in place income-generating activities and community projects that will seek to bring food security to the refugees, while supporting the transition from emergency relief to self-reliance.

UNHCR will also prioritize education and access to primary health care. Special attention will be paid to the prevention of HIV and AIDS and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as to providing assistance to people with special needs. To address the situation of a large population of undocumented refugee children born in Cameroon, UNHCR will help the authorities to issue birth certificates and facilitate procedures for judicial rulings. Continuous registration procedures will benefit new arrivals from the north-west of the Central African Republic.

The residual caseload of Chadian refugees in Langui Camp will continue to enjoy international protection and to receive humanitarian assistance. The focus will be on local integration and a reinforcement of basic social services. Repatriation will continue in 2012 for about 1,500 Chadian refugees.

UNHCR will continue to promote the local integration of the Nigerian refugees in the north-west and Adamaoua regions through the pursuit for an alternative status, in the absence of naturalization. Measures to facilitate the smooth integration of these refugees in their area of residence will include rehabilitation of social infrastructure and help in acquiring residence permits.

UNHCR will combat statelessness by ensuring that stateless populations and perople at risk of statelessness are identified, and assisting the national authorities to provide civil status documentation for this population.

Constraints

Logistical problems make access to refugees difficult for UNHCR personnel and implementing partners. International humanitarian organizations with the necessary experience to work with UNHCR in Cameroon are few in number and it is therefore difficult to engage additional partners.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR is working closely with government departments and international and national NGOs. It also benefits from the support of other UN agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WFP) as well as local communities.

Financial information

UNHCR's budget in Cameroon has been increasing over the past four years and peaked in 2010 due to influxes from the Central African Republic and Chad. For 2012, the Office's financial requirements in Cameroon will amount to USD 20.6 million, mainly to respond to the refugees' basic needs.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013

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