Reducing Risk and Meeting Needs of Conflict-Affected Communities in the Far North Region, Cameroon

The project aimed to support people affected by the Boko Haram crisis, tackling interconnected challenges they face. Activities were provided across sectors including Protection, Health, Economic Recovery and Market Systems, Agriculture and Food Security, Multipurpose Cash Assistance, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The project targeted 32,230 beneficiaries, with 17,500 individuals receiving services without double counting. A total of 49,119 beneficiaries were reached during the implementation period, with 24,819 individuals receiving services without double counting. The Protection sector aimed to increase access to quality protection services for survivors of GBV and persons with special needs. In the Protection sector, the IRC's Women's Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Manager led eight coordination meetings with 26 community leaders in Mozogo and Igawa. These meetings focused on educating community leaders on preventing GBV and becoming involved in community protection activities. IRC staff working as community mobilizers sensitized 3,099 people, including 1,405 women, 708 men, 566 girls, and 420 boys on GBV causes and consequences. The IRC distributed 500 dignity kits to women and girls in April 2019, providing essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, and sanitary products. The kits were distributed in Mayo-Sava and Mayo Tsanaga, and Logone et Chari departments. The project also participated in the celebration of the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence" and the commemoration of International Women's Day, promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. The project implemented various activities to strengthen economic conditions of communities, including supporting 120 households to access non-agricultural income-generating opportunities and 600 households to access agricultural income-generating activities. The IRC also provided multipurpose cash assistance to 720 households, enabling them to meet their basic needs. To address environmental health needs, the IRC led activities to improve access to safe water supply and sanitation, and to ensure good hygiene practices in communities. The project faced challenges, including recurrent attacks by Non-state Armed Groups (NSAGs), which sometimes led to the suspension of humanitarian activities. The longest halt occurred from April 6 to June 9, 2019, due to an attack on a convoy of Cameroonian security forces on the Fotokol-Sagme axis. The project also faced challenges due to the prolonged and heavy rainy season, which affected access to and activities in program sites.