Cameroon

Where can I seek shelter?

 

Ministry of Social Affairs Cameroon

 

Under the care of children temporarily or permanently deprived of their family environment, the country currently has two types of institutions: Reception Centers for Distressed Children commonly known by their French acronym, CAED, and Childcare Centres.

To date, 04 CAED with a capacity of 40 spaces each, are functional in the capital Yaounde and Garoua in the North, Ambam in the South and Ekondo TITI in the South West Region.

A pilot Daycare Nursery with 60 spaces was opened Djoungolo (Yaoundé).

 

It could be contacted through email at infos@minas.cm, phone at (+237) 222 229 58/ 222 311 07, or website at http://www.minas.gov.cm/.

 

Global Shelter Cluster

 

On the 17th of October 2018, the Shelter Cluster was activated for the South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon to support the response to the recent crisis. The cluster is led by UNHCR. 

 

It could be contacted through email at mahamati@unhcr.org or mehkum@unhcr.org. The website is https://www.sheltercluster.org/response/cameroon.

 

INTERSOS Cameroon

 

Since the beginning of 2015, INTERSOS Cameroon have been working in Cameroon to help the thousands of displaced people and refugees in the north of the country. Since April 2017, construction work has been carried out on 800 homes and latrines, coupled with sanitation activities. They also distribute essential goods such as tents, blankets, mosquito nets and water cans. They provide psychological support and protection to women and children who, during the attacks and the escape, have been subjected to violence or who have ended up alone and are at risk of abuse.

 

It could be contacted through email at intersos@intersos.org, phone at +39 06 853 7431. The website is https://www.intersos.org/en/what-we-do/cameroon/.

 

DRC Cameroon

 

In the northwest/southwest region, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) operates through 3 main program areas: protection, child protection, and emergency shelter and non-food items.

 

DRC’s child protection programming supports crisis affected children in improving their psychosocial outcomes through community-based child protection mechanisms.

 

Emergency shelter and NFI programming aims to provide humanitarian assistance to crisis affected households in the southwest region of Cameroon who have been forced to flee violence. Loss of household items and lack of access to shelter solutions remains a critical problem for thousands of families.

 

It could be contacted through email at rd-wa@drc.ngo, romain.sztark@drc.ngo, or scott.tind.simmons@drc.ngo. The website is https://drc.ngo/where-we-work/west-africa/cameroon, and their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/danishrefugeecouncil.

 

UNHCR

 

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, is helping people affected by the violence and conflict. In Cameroon, UNHCR and its partners continue to respond to new arrivals while building refugee’s livelihoods and ability to sustain themselves. There are multiple refugee camps in Cameron operated by UNHCR.

 

It could be contacted through phone at 237 222 029 54 or 41 22 739 7671, or email at cmrya@unhcr.org. The website is https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/cameroon.html.

 

The physical address of the UNHCR representation office Cameroon is:

 

QUARTIER BASTOS,

RUE n0 1778, 7077

YAOUNDE, Cameroon

 

Shelter Box

 

They have been working in Minawao camp in Cameroon since 2015. Tents and other items like solar lights, ground sheets, mosquito nets,and hygiene kits, allow families to start paving the road to recovery.

 

It could be contacted through phone at 1 941.907.6036, or email at info@shelterboxusa.org. Their website is https://www.shelterboxusa.org/home-page/news/lakechad/cameroon/ and Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/shelterboxusa/.

 

SOS Children’s Villages

 

For those children who cannot live with their families of origin, SOS Children’s Villages provide direct care in SOS families and foster families.

 

It could be contacted through phone at (+237) 222 127 26 or email at vesos.cameroun@sos-cameroun.org. Its website is https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/where-we-help/africa/cameroon and Facebook page is https://fr-fr.facebook.com/pages/SOS-Villages-dEnfants-Cameroun/1474328339468579.

 

The physical address is as follows:

Rue 1595 Omnisports, face Stade Annexe N°2

Yaoundé, Cameroon

 

Reach Out Cameroon

 

Reach Out Cameroon is one of the first organizations to provide support to orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) in the South West Region of Cameroon and has over the years supported children in distress.

 

It could be reached at (+237) 677 405 602, esther@reachoutcameroon.org, info@reachoutcameroon.org, or Facebook messenger. Its website is https://www.reachoutcameroon.org/, and Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Reach.Out.SW/.

 

The physical address is as follows:

Buea, South West Region, Cameroon

 

AGAPE Association

 

The AGAPE centre is a residential safe space for children aged from 5 to 17 years to grow well. These children may otherwise be begging on the streets or selling low value items in order to survive and support their families. 

 

It could be contacted through phone at (+237) 697 103 983 or (+237) 674 614 075, or email at agapeassociation3@gmail.com.

 

Its website is http://www.agapecentre.org, and Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/AGAPEAssociation/.

 

The physical address is as follows:

Carrefour Roger Milla-Ngangue

Douala, Cameroon

 

Is shelter available during this emergency?

 

There is no specific information available on whether COVID-19 has impacted availability of each shelter in the country, but specific facilities have been marked above.

 

What are my rights?

 

There is a range of protections available under the Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code:

• Police is required to have a warrant to make an arrest, except when a person is caught in the act of committing a crime (section 30 of the Criminal Procedure Code).
• Except in the case of felony or misdemeanor, the officials making the arrest must disclose their identity, inform the person of the reason for the arrest, and allow a third person to accompany them to the place where they are detained (section 31 of the Criminal Procedure Code).
• Police may legally detain a person in connection with a common crime for up to 48 hours, renewable once, with two further extensions available with the written approval of the state counsel in exceptional circumstances (section 119 of the Criminal Procedure Code).
• A person who has been arrested has the right to contact their family, obtain legal advice, make arrangements for their defence, consult a doctor and receive medical treatment, and take necessary steps to obtain their release on bail (section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

 

However, these provisions are not always respected in practice. It is not uncommon for police, gendarmes, and other government authorities to arrest and detain individuals on an arbitrary basis, often holding them for prolonged periods without charge or trial.

 

The criminal laws generally do not provide for different treatment of adult and children. A child can generally only bring a case with the assistance of their parents or legal representative. The definition of a child differs by region.

 

Legal Aid is available at Commissions set up at the Court of First Instance, High Court, Military Tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Applications may be made to the Legal Aid Commission in the appropriate court either orally or in writing. The application is then determined by the Commission, in consultation with counsel. However, in practice the Commission meets irregularly and there are not enough lawyers for all cases. Help in applying to the Legal Aid Commission and other assistance with legal representation is available from Human is Right Cameroon: email bchamango@hisrcameroon.org or call +237679166872.

 

Legal assistance may also be available from the following organizations:

• Avocats sans frontières humanitaires du Cameroun (Lawyers Without Humanitarian Borders of Cameroon) may provide free legal advice to young people. Phone number: +237 6 91 41 83 07 or email asfhcam@gmail.com.
• Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa provides legal aid, legal education programs, and programs to protect the rights of women and children.Phone number: +237 3302-6975, email admin@chrda.org or info@chrda.org.
• Contra Nocendi operates a law clinic in Buea.Contact via http://www.contranocendi.org/index.php/en/contact.
• Norwegian Refugee Council. Phone number: +237 685 135 381 or email maclean.natugasha@nrc.no. Generally only assists with identity documents and birth certificates.
• The Danish Refugee Council. Contact Romain Sztark romain.sztark@drc.ngo or Yann Faivre rd-wa@drc.ngo. Generally assists with civil documentation (birth certificates) and protection monitoring, as well as other assistance
• A list of organizations which provide pro bono legal assistance to refugees, migrants and individuals identifying as LGBTI is available at http://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/cameroon-pro-bono-directory.
• A list of lawyers in Cameroon is available from the US Embassy at https://cm.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/240/2017/03/Copyof2017AttorneysList.pdf.

Where can I access health care?

 

The healthcare system in Cameroon is generally divided into public and private healthcare. The Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la Santé Publique) oversees the provision of public health services in Cameroon and has recently published a number of resources, bulletins, and notices relating to COVID-19 (see: https://www.minsante.cm/).

 

In the event of a health-related emergency, please dial 112 or 119 for ambulance services.

 

If you believe that you may have COVID-19 or display any COVID-19 symptoms, isolation and treatment centers have been specifically set up at Yaoundé Central Hospital, Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Garoua Regional Hospital, and Kribi District Hospital. Information for each of these hospitals is provided below.

Hospital	Information
Yaoundé Central Hospital	Phone: +237 2 43 68 03 24
Laquintinie Hospital	Website and Contact: https://www.hopitalaquintinie.cm/contact-en.html Phone: +237 2 43 80 09 08
Garoua Regional Hospital	Phone: +237 2 22 27 14 14
Kribi District Hospital	Phone: +237 2 33 46 11 31

SOS Doctors Cameroon offers online and home healthcare consultations, providing an alternative to seeking healthcare at a medical clinic or hospital to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.  Contact information to obtain these services is as follows:

• 694 65 99 95 (Medical Assistance via WhatsApp)
• 651 87 67 63 - 676 11 29 27 (Home care and consultations)

Have my rights in the criminal justice system changed?

 

There is no information available on whether COVID-19 has impacted on individuals' rights in the criminal justice system.

 

Can I continue my education?

 

From Wednesday 18 March 2020, all public and private training establishments of the various levels of education, from nursery school to higher education, including vocational training centres and professional schools, were closed.

 

However, school and universities began to gradually reopen across Cameroon effective June 1, 2020.  According to authorities, all schools will be disinfected at least three times a week and not more than 24 children are admitted in classrooms and that only one will sit on a bench (as opposed to four or five in ordinary circumstances).

 

A distance learning website with lessons and practical sessions was announced June 15, 2020 available, available here: http://minesec-distancelearnina.cm/1.

 

Updates regarding the status of education services in Cameroon can be found on the Prime Minister and various Ministry of Education websites as follows:

 

• Prime Minister: https://www.spm.gov.cm
• Ministry of Basic Education: http://www.minedub.cm/index.php?id=2&L=1
• Ministry of Secondary Education: http://www.minesec.gov.cm/
• Ministry of Higher Education: http://www.minesup.gov.cm/

Since 6 April 2020, daily educational programs are broadcasted on Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV) via both television transmission and the internet in both in English and in French to assist learning from home, with special focus on exam preparation. Comments and suggestions for trial lessons presented on CRTV can be forwarded to the following social networks/emails for consideration:

• Facebook : DifodesMinesec
• E-mail : difodes.minesec@gmail.com
• Twitter : Difodes MINESEC
• WhatsApp : 691315417

On 31 March 2020, the Ministry of Basic Education released a circulation letter (available here) outlining a number of instructions for continued and distance learning during the pandemic, and providing a number of resources, including the following:

• UNESCO online courses: https://unesco-yao.avcn.fr/ and https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/solutions
• An online story database to assist in reading: https://storyweaver.org.in/
• An online textbook database: https://intl.siyavula.com/
• Free education resource: http://abcd.abuledu.org/
• Primary School resources: http://www.tessafrica.net/fr and https://abuledu-fr.org/category/ressources-educatives-libres/

 

Where can I seek emergency services, food and other resources?

 

The Lutheran World Federation

 

Present in Cameroon since 2014, the LWF responds to internal needs caused by crises and conflicts in neighboring countries. LWF has been assisting refugees with food security, livelihoods, including vocational skills training, business skills, and support and training for agro-pastoral livelihoods, improving hygiene, including access to proper sanitation and training of proper hygiene, and improving access to clean water.

 

It could be contacted through phone at +41 22 791 6264 or through email at Philbert.Habonimana@lutheranworld.org or info@lutheranworld.org.

 

The website is https://www.lutheranworld.org/content/emergency-operation-cameroon.

 

Action Against Hunger

 

They support health centers in Cameroon to help improve the health system and primary health care. Their teams also improved access to safe water and to reduce waterborne diseases. Together with partners, they are strengthening the resilience and nutrition security of communities through programs focused on health and nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene; food security; advocacy, and supporting local governance.

 

It could be contacted through phone at +1 (212) 967-7800 or email at info@actionagainsthunger.org.

 

The website is https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/countries/africa/cameroon, and their Facebook page is http://facebook.com/actionagainsthunger.

 

World Food Program USA

 

WFP has been present in Cameroon since 1978. WFP responds to the simultaneous crises in Cameroon through a mix of relief, recovery and development activities, including launch of cash-based activities, new nutrition strategy, and food and nutrition assistance that includes general food distributions.

 

It could be contacted through phone at +1 (202) 627-3737 or email at
info@wfpusa.org. The website is https://www.wfpusa.org/countries/cameroon/, and their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/WFPUSA.

 

Counterpart International

 

Counterpart has been working on their Food for Education program in Cameroon since 2008, with their current project beginning in 2012. Their program is more than just a food distribution project: they take a multi-sectoral approach, working in partnership with local leaders to improve school attendance and literacy, reduce hunger and strengthen the capacity of local communities to become more self-reliant.

 

It could be contacted through phone at +1 571.447.5700 or email at communications@counterpart.org. The website is https://www.counterpart.org/projects/food-for-education-program/, and their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/counterpartinternational.

 

US AID

 

USAID’s Food for Peace Office partners with others to reduce hunger and malnutrition, and ensure that all individuals have adequate, safe and nutritious food to support a healthy and productive life.

 

It could be reached at +1 202-712-0000. The website is https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/organization/bureaus/bureau-democracy-conflict-and-humanitarian-assistance/office-food.

 

Caritas Cameroon

 

Caritas Cameroon supports the social and charitable action network of the diocesan committees (CODASC). Caritas Cameroon has created an operational unit to support the local Church in responding to the refugees’ needs. An appeal for funds was launched to meet the refugees’ immediate needs, and food and non-food items were distributed.

 

It could be reached at +237 999 78 450 or thaddee2011@yahoo.fr/ anata64@yahoo.fr. The website is https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/africa/cameroon/ and Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/zibichristian.

 

The physical address is:

Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Cameroun (CENC), Mvolyé, Yaoundé, Cameroon

 

Buddhist Global Relief

 

BGR partners with CENCUDER Cameroon to provide nutritious hot lunches for 107 undernourished children attending the local Ebase-Bajoh primary school.

 

It could be reached at +1 888.852.7579 or info@buddhistglobalrelief.org. The website is https://www.buddhistglobalrelief.org/index.php/en/?option=com_content&view=article&id=310.

 

Is emergency services, food and other resources available during this emergency?

 

There is no specific information available on whether COVID-19 has impacted availability of public services in the country.