To: All colleagues at Headquarters and in the Field
From: The High Commissioner, UNHCR Geneva.
Date: 06 February 2018
Subject: Activation of a Level 2 emergency for the refugee influx from Cameroon to Nigeria
Message in English – French version to follow
Dear colleagues,
Ongoing violence in the western regions of Cameroon has recently caused tens of thousands of Cameroonians to flee and seek safety in Nigeria. What began in 2016 with civil society-led demonstrations over alleged marginalisation of the Anglophone regions escalated in October 2017 after the attempted unilateral declaration of independence by the Ambazonia Governing Council of Southern Cameroon. Government security forces were deployed to the areas, resulting in deadly clashes.
Since October 2017, tens of thousands of Cameroonian refugees have sought safety in Nigeria. UNHCR is working together with the Nigerian authorities to register and assist the refugees. So far, 14,000 refugees have been registered. Cameroonian refugees are currently staying in Cross River, Taraba and Benue states. While initial arrivals were composed of teachers, journalists and political opponents, currently entire families are being displaced due to the violence.
The UNHCR office in Nigeria has deployed staff on successive missions to the border areas to monitor the situation and to ensure unhindered access to asylum for the new arrivals. Together with the Nigerian National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), UNHCR is providing food and Core Relief Items (CRIs), and one local NGO partner ensuring that basic health services and assistance are provided to people with specific needs. A coordination mechanism led by UNHCR was established in Calabar, (Cross River State) in December 2017. Additional personnel are being mobilised through Division of Emergency, Security and Supply DESS emergency rosters. The establishment of a new field presence and mobilisation of additional financial and human resources are now required to fully address the needs of the population.
The situation in western Cameroon is deeply worrying and shows no sign of abating. Accordingly, more refugees are expected to seek safety in Nigeria as the violence continues. The forced return of 47 Cameroonians, most of them registered asylum seekers, on 26 January 2018 is a matter of deep concern.
In accordance with the Policy on Emergency Preparedness and Response (UNHCR/HCP/2017/1), I have decided to declare a Level 2 emergency for the Cameroonian refugee influx into Nigeria. The Regional Bureau for Africa is authorised to take the necessary actions to upscale UNHCR’s operational capacity. Emergency procedures and resources, access to including human, financial and material resources, are hereby activated. At Headquarters, coordination arrangements will be established to support the operation in delivering an effective response. All concerned Divisions and Services are called upon to extend all relevant support and cooperation to the Bureau and the operation.
The declaration shall remain in force for an initial period of six months, at which time it shall be will be reviewed.
From Office of the High Commissioner in Geneva
