UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Commends Cameroon’s Leadership in Advancing Sustainable Solutions for Refugees

Yaoundé, 12 March 2026 – The UN Refugee Agency’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations (AHC-O), Raouf Mazou, has said Cameroon continues to lead by example in its commitment to refugee protection and inclusion. He made the remarks at the end of a high-level mission to the country where he praised the Government’s longstanding solidarity with refugees and its leadership in advancing durable, nationally anchored solutions for forcibly displaced populations.

Mr. Mazou emphasized that sustained international support is urgently needed to help Cameroon consolidate progress and expand pathways to durable solutions. Increased investments in education, livelihoods, local governance, and public services are vital to ensure that refugees and host communities alike can build dignified and stable lives.

During his mission, Mr. Mazou, accompanied by the Regional Director for the UNHCR West and Central African Bureau, Mr. Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde and the UNHCR Representative in Cameroon, Yvette Muhimpundu along with Government authorities, donors and United Nations agencies donors and United Nations agencies, visited Minawao Refugee Camp in the Far North region, home to around 80,000 Nigerian refugees. The visit highlighted significant progress in transitioning from humanitarian aid to resilience-building initiatives focused on self‑reliance, environmental restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.

“Minawao is more than a place of refuge; it is becoming a community where people can regain control over their lives,” Mr. Mazou said. “The shift from humanitarian aid toward livelihoods, land access, environmental restoration and documentation reflects the kind of solutions-oriented approach UNHCR is working to expand across the region.”

The delegation toured a 151-hectare farmland allocated by the Government and host communities, enabling food production, income generation, and stronger social cohesion. Climate-smart initiatives, including reforestation, soil restoration and clean‑energy livelihoods, are also supporting families to build sustainable futures.

The mission further underscored the importance of biometric identity cards issued by the Government, which enable refugees to access essential public services such as education, healthcare and financial systems. These measures advance refugee inclusion and support Cameroon’s development priorities under the National Development Strategy.

The delegation held high‑level discussions in Yaoundé with the Prime Minister, H.E. Joseph Dion Ngute, and other key ministries. Discussions focused on strengthening protection systems, supporting voluntary repatriation where conditions permit, and reinforcing nationally led social services for refugees and host communities.

The Regional Director for West and Central Africa also commended the Government’s leadership: “Cameroon’s model shows what is possible when national systems are strengthened and humanitarian and development actors work hand in hand. The progress here provides a pathway for the region as a whole, and UNHCR remains committed to supporting this vision.”

The delegation also visited the East region, which hosts nearly two‑thirds of Cameroon’s refugee population, primarily refugees from the Central African Republic. UNHCR reiterated its commitment to voluntary repatriation in safety and dignity when conditions allow, in collaboration with Cameroon and the Central African Republic.

UNHCR Representative in Cameroon, Yvette Muhimpundu, emphasized the country’s progress: “What we are seeing in Cameroon demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusion and resilience. Refugees are increasingly able to access services, contribute economically and pursue solutions. With sustained international investment, these efforts can be scaled to ensure long-term stability and opportunity for all communities.”

UNHCR stressed that sustained engagement from development partners and the private sector is essential to scale progress in Minawao and the East region, strengthen national systems and ensure that displacement‑affected communities can move toward lasting stability and opportunity.

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