The situation of internally displaced people (IDPs) remained volatile because of the insecurity, ongoing fighting and frequent suicide attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram. Most of the IDPs did not receive adequate assistance in terms of protection, shelters and basic household commodities. Being expected that access to IDPs will improve in 2017, UNHCR will require more resources to ensure that all IDPs and the most vulnerable locals among host communities are assisted and receive protection assistance, core-relief items (CRIs) and shelter. This assistance will be required even though IDPs decide to return to their places of origin where their homes have been destroyed and looted. Adequate logistics means will be required because IDPs are scattered in different locations.
In 2017, UNHCR will continue to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance as part of the coordination in favour of internally displaced people, vulnerable people of the host population as well as returnees in the operation area in collaboration with the Government of Cameroon, United Nations agencies and other stakeholders within the context of development.
The strategy for this population planning group will comprise assistance in return areas and host villages according to the respective mandates of UNHCR in the various sectors like protection (detention, documentation, monitoring, capacity building and durable solutions), shelters and CRIs. Sector interventions will be monitored as part of the coordination arrangements made by the relevant government departments and co-lead agencies.
In addition, UNHCR will reinforce and rehabilitate community infrastructures in return areas, support the community in building shelters for vulnerable people and distribute household items to concerned people.
The Government of Cameroon will provide security to all the people of the return areas, host villages and humanitarian organizations by reinforcing security forces in order to build confidence and ease coexistence between the communities. It will also prevent the infiltration of the Boko Haram Islamic sect and other armed groups inside the various villages.
Assumptions and constraints:
The protection constraints in the Far North region of Cameroon relating to the complex, volatile and unpredictable security situation can be summed up as follows:
- Reduction of the humanitarian space in the operation area;
- Limited movement of internally displaced people;
- Several attacks in host villages by members of Boko Haram that may lead to one or several new displacements