Faith Nyasuguta
Cameroon has been named the world’s most neglected displacement crisis, a title that highlights the deep humanitarian challenges the country faces. The Norwegian Refugee Council’s latest report reveals that Cameroon has overtaken Burkina Faso as the most overlooked crisis globally, with millions of displaced people struggling for survival while the world remains largely indifferent.
The ranking is based on a combination of factors, including lack of humanitarian funding, minimal media coverage, and weak international political engagement. Cameroon currently hosts over one million internally displaced people, along with nearly half a million refugees fleeing violence from neighboring countries. Despite these staggering numbers, global attention has remained scarce, leaving those affected in a worsening state of vulnerability.
The crisis is fueled by multiple conflicts that have devastated the country for years. In the Northwest and Southwest regions, separatist movements have been engaged in violent clashes with government forces since 2016, displacing hundreds of thousands. Further north, instability caused by non-state armed groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin has exacerbated the suffering of communities already struggling with economic hardship.
Boko Haram, along with other militant factions, continues to launch attacks, pushing more families into displacement. The country’s humanitarian system is further burdened by the influx of refugees escaping conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic.
Despite the growing need for assistance, Cameroon remains severely underfunded. In 2024, less than half of the required humanitarian aid was met, forcing organizations to cut essential services such as food assistance, healthcare, and education programs. Aid agencies warn that the situation is expected to worsen as key international donors reduce foreign aid budgets. The United States and several European nations have significantly scaled back their support, further jeopardizing relief efforts.
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, has called for urgent action, urging the global community to reverse aid cuts and prioritize diplomatic engagement. He cautioned that continued neglect would only deepen the crisis, leading to greater instability and suffering for millions of displaced people. The struggle is not just one of survival but of recognition, Cameroon’s crisis is one of the world’s most severe, yet it remains largely ignored.
With millions struggling for food, education, and medical care, the need for international intervention has never been more pressing. Schools are overcrowded, children are forced into desperate situations, and families lack the resources to rebuild their lives. The silence surrounding Cameroon’s displacement crisis is alarming, and unless the world takes notice, the suffering will continue in the shadows, hidden from global awareness.
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