Cameroon-Sitrep-May-2020.Pdf
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Cameroon Humanitarian Situation Report No. 05 Situation in Numbers* 6,200,000 Reporting Period: 1-31 May 2020 children in need of humanitarian assistance (HRP June 2020) 3,200,000 Highlights people in need (HRP June 2020) In Far North Region, UNICEF partners, IMC and ALDEPA assisted 5,627 conflict affected children including 1,369 IDPs, with psychosocial support while 53 450,268 separated and unaccompanied children were also assisted with hygiene kits IDPs in the NWSW regions (OCHA and clothing. MSNA, August 2019) In May, the number of new COVID-19 cases surged in conflict affected North- Returnees in the NW/SW West (103 cases), South-West (182 cases) and Far North (89 cases) regions while 203,634 nationwide, the total number increased from 2,069 on 30 April to 6,752 by 31 (OCHA December 2019) May. Littoral and Central Regions continue to show the highest proportion of cases nationwide. 297,380 IDPs in the Far North Over 7,904 children affected by the North-West and South-West crisis were (OIM, December 2019) vaccinated against measles & rubella. 116,979 Returnees in the UNICEF further integrated COVID-19 response into its humanitarian activities Far North (IOM, December 2019) while remaining vigilant to periodic disease outbreaks. A special CV19 guidance was developed for WASH, Nutrition, Education and Child Protection clusters in NW and SW regions. [Note: UNICEF Cameroon is issuing weekly sitreps on its COVID-19 response. These are available on Relief Web.] UNICEF Appeal 2020 UNICEF’s Response and Funding Status* SAM admissions 22% US$ 45.4 million Funding status 2% Nutrition Funding Status (in US$) Measles vaccination 5% Health Funding status 6% Safe water access 29% Carry- forward WASH Funding status 21% US$ 3.4 M MHPSS access 38% Received US$ 3.8M Child Funding status 26% Funding gap Protection US$ 38.2M Education access 4% Funding status 7% Education 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% *Funding available includes carry-over and funds received in the current year. 1 Funding Overview and Partnerships In 2020 UNICEF is appealing for US$ 45,445,000 in support of lifesaving and protection-based response for children and women in Cameroon. As of 31 May, UNICEF has received funding against this humanitarian requirement from the Japanese government, Swedish SIDA and the UN CERF. UNICEF expresses its appreciation to all public and private donors for their support. Against a COVID19 response requirement of US$24,007,500 for the remainder of 2020 as presented in the UNICEF global COVID-19 HAC, US$1,940,822 was received in May. In view of the critical funding situation impacting humanitarian response for children in Cameroon, UNICEF shared a Donor Alert with Yaounde embassies and donor representatives highlighting life-saving and protection-based activities that must be implemented over the next five months, for which $10,608,000 is urgently required. Vital activities are being curtailed for lack of funding including measles vaccination, access to lifesaving essential drugs, continued nutritional screening and treatment, support for safe water and sanitation and mental health and psychosocial services. Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs While the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions pose new threats to children and communities across Cameroon, over two million children remain in need of urgent humanitarian assistance as a consequence of violence and conflict and periodic disease outbreaks including measles and cholera. Continuing clashes in North-West and South-West regions led to 4,092 new IDPs (683 households) including 2,474 in the North-West and 1,618 in the South-West. Humanitaran access was increasingly hindered at both official and unofficial roadblocks and checkpoints in the two regions. The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by some NSAGs was reported along roads in the South-West Region. Since 20 May, the delivery of supplies from UNICEF Douala warehouse for RRM activities in North-West Region was slowed due to roadblocks on the main access road from Bamenda to Kumbo. The COVID-19 crisis has also compounded the pre-existing impact of the armed conflict on education. As a result of the dual emergencies, 6,379 schools and 4,200 community learning centres were temporarily closed leaving 1 million school aged children forced to stay at home. UNICEF pursued the integration of COVID-19 infection and prevention control (IPC) measures into its overall humanitarian response to maintain the pace of emergency supply distributions and provision of emergency health, nutrition, WASH and child protection services. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens communities in the three divisions of Far North Region (Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Logone et Chari) bordering Nigeria. These populations are already living in constant insecurity due to repeated cross-border incursions including kidnapping, murder, the burning of homes and ransacking of health facilities. In a new trend, attacks are reportedly conducted by both settled and cross-border NSAGs . In Kolofata commune, Mayo Sava division, the main IDP camp accommodating some 13,000 people was progressively abandoned in the first two weeks of the month due to insecurity following infiltration by Boko Haram suspects, strong suspicions of collaboration and fear of reprisals. UNICEF, UN agencies and NGOs initiated response within available resources. Overall, the impact of the multi-country Lake Chad Basin crisis on children remains severe. There are over 150,000 displaced children in Far North Region. In addition to exposure to predatory attacks, children are endangered by the presence of unexploded remnants of war and potential recruitment into armed groups. This month, 8 girls and 2 women were abducted in cross-border attacks. COVID-19 restrictions are adding to the constraints on humanitarian access already limited by attacks on government administration and security forces including the use of IEDs, and ongoing military operations. Summary Analysis of Response1: Nutrition2 Lake Chad Basin Crisis In May, 3,471 children aged 6-59 months including 14 Nigerian refugee children from Minawao camp were admitted in UNICEF-supported health centres in the Far North. A total of 9,359 people (8,365 women and 994 men) were sensitised on IYCF and 38,754 children aged 6-23 months received micronutrients powder. In addition, the use of the 1 UNICEF Cameroon is issuing weekly sitreps on its COVID-19 response. These are available on Relief Web 2 Due to the reporting system of the ministry, the admission data of the concerned month is reported in the following month (i.e. April data are reported in May). 2 door-to-door multiple micronutrient powder distribution platform for the integration of nutrition and health activities in the health districts of Goulfey and Kousseri made it possible to catch up with supplementation in iron folic acid for 25 pregnant women and the deworming of 4,519 children (2304 girls and 2215 boys) and Vitamin A supplementation of 3,316 children (1,779 girls and 1,537 boys). North West/South West Crisis UNICEF nutrition partners (CBCHS, Reach Out, Mentor Initiative and SHUMAS) in both regions screened 6,029 children under 5 years for acute malnutrition with 41 children identified with SAM and referred for treatment. A total of 22,830 persons were sensitised on key messages on infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) and these messages integrated Covid 19 preventative messages. UNICEF supported in establishing 10 in-patient facilities (NW:6 and SW:4) for the management of SAM with complications (Anthropometric equipments, systematic medications and Therapeutic milks were provided). Health North-West/South-West Crisis In May, UNICEF partner the Cameroonian Baptist Convention (CBC) delivered life-saving services in Kombasse, Buh, Tadu, and Mbiim Health Areas which host IDPs in farm settlements in Bui Division. As a result, 1,419 children (716 girls and 703 boys) were vaccinated against measles, 1,980 (1023 girls and 957 boys) received Vitamin A, 387 children (199 girls and 188 boys) were treated for ARIs, 3,242 children (1,542 girls and 1,700 boys) were provided with essential drugs for diarrhoea, 365 (169 males and 196 females) children received antimalaria treatment and 66 (36 women and 30 girls) caregivers received newborn kits during outreach activities. Concurrently, with UNICEF’s support, the Regional Delegation of Public Health North West and South West conducted the 2nd round of the Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunization (PIRI) activity in the North-West (Bamenda, Fundong, Kumbo East and Ndop) and in the South-West (Buea, Limbe, Muyuka, Tiko and Tombel) from 8th to 22th May 2020. Cumulatively, 7,904 children were vaccinated against measles & rubella, 2,069 pregnant women received Tetanus and 8,306 children were supplemented with Vitamin A. Lake Chad Basin Crisis: UNICEF pursued its support to the COVID-19 response. As a result 124,687 people were sensitized through risk communication in the Logone et Chari Health Districts on COVID-19 preventive measures and the utilisation of immunisation services. In addition, UNICEF supported the Regional Delegations of Public Health for the training of 118 health personnel in Infection Prevention and Control (50 in North and 68 in Far North). A total of 1,509 children were vaccinated against MR in Logone and Chari. WASH Lake Chad Basin Crisis: In preparedness of the expected seasonal cholera outbreak, already active in other regions, the WASH sector groups in the Far North and North regions, co-facilitated by Government and UNICEF, initiated cholera preparedness and prevention activities along-side COVID19 response activities. This entailed mobilising WASH partners, preparing standby agreement and updated and prepositioning WASH kits. North-West/South-West crisis UNICEF NGO partner CARITAS completed 8 latrines (48 cabins) in Mamfe and about 5,740 people from 1,148 households benefitted from the distribution of WASH kits composed with Buckets, Laundry soap, Potties, Collapsible Jerry Cans and Aquatabs.