Multiple humanitarian and protection crises triggered by conflict, inter-communal violence, and the effects of climate have displaced over 2.2 million persons Socioeconomic inclusion of refugees continued to be pursued in local and national development plans in line with the country’s strategies. Voluntary repatriation of refugees is ongoing, with 1,871 individuals returning to their country of origin.
OPERATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Since 2022, UNHCR has started implementing its Multi-Country Multi-Year Strategy 2022-2026, focusing on strengthening protection, coordination, and searching durable solutions to forcibly displaced persons and persons at risk of statelessness. The Strategy aligns with UNHCR Global Strategic Direction 2022-2026, the Cameroon 2030 National Development Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. At mid-term of the implementation of the Strategy, UNHCR is facing a funding shortfall that is forcing the operation to scale back and reprioritize its sectoral response. Within this Strategic framework, the following developments have been realized:
• Joint launch with the Ministry of External Relations (MINREX) of the UNHCR Cameroon Multi-Year MultiPartner Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 (MYMP) with the active participation of national authorities, diplomatic corps, and key partners in Cameroon. The document provides strategic guidance for the operation and highlights the need for enhanced focus on protection, coordination, and search for durable solutions for the forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Signature of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to support the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and forcibly displaced persons in national and local development plans. The first, with Cameroon’s National institute for statistics (NIS) for a Forced Displacement Survey, and the second with Ministry of Decentralization and Development (MINDEVEL) to encourage inclusion at the regional and local level.
• Signature of a tripartite agreement between the Protection Cluster, (UNHCR, as the cluster lead agency), DRC, and the national NGO Respect Cameroon to strengthen coordination and promote shared responsibility in protecting people in need of assistance.
• Holding the Strategic Retreat with the Senior Management to plan and prioritize for 2025. Considering chronic budget cuts, the need to identify impactful priorities, to strengthen refugees’ data expertise and coordination at interagency environment was emphasized.
• Co-chairing of the Second Edition of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue with the Ministry of External Relations of Cameroon (MINREX). The Dialogue highlighted the collaborative efforts and achievements of governmental authorities, UN agencies, and partners towards the Cameroonian pledges made in the Global Refugee Fora.
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