The crisis in the English-speaking part of Cameroon has been going on for five years now. Many of those affected, especially children, are fleeing to other parts of the country. KamerunGO! is working with Hope and Life Cameroun and other local partners to ensure the education and health of children.
Members of Hope and Life Cameroun distributing school uniforms to refugee children. 1960 was the year that is now known as the “Year of Africa”. 18 colonies gained independence from their colonial masters. Cameroon was the first to do so: on 1 January, the independent Republic of Cameroon was proclaimed in the former French mandate territory. In 1961, the part of Cameroon administered by Great Britain finally joined the republic. However, this was only possible under one condition: the country’s own culture, language and administrative system were to be preserved. The Federal Republic of Cameroon was created, which granted the English-speaking part a certain degree of independence. The then President Ahmadou Ahidjo did not keep his promises. Over the next ten years, he first forced the creation of a single party, and in 1972 the federation was finally transformed into a highly centralized system – the United Republic of Cameroon . A suppression of all opposition began, which is continued by President Paul Biya, who is still in office today. In 2016, the conflict began to escalate: teachers and lawyers initially protested peacefully against the increasing suppression of the English language. However, when the local population joined the protests and also criticized the lack of infrastructure and poor economic situation, violence increased. The government intervened with tear gas and water cannon, and numerous protesters were arrested.
Some schools have been closed for four years
Five years later, the crisis is still ongoing. Around 5,000 people have fallen victim to it so far, and over 700,000 have been displaced – and these are just the official figures. Instead of declaring themselves ready for dialogue, the government is still relying on military action. In view of the hopelessness, the militias have become radicalized, and many are even demanding separation from the French-speaking part of Cameroon. In order to put pressure on the government, the separatists have closed or destroyed many schools. For this reason, and also because of the general insecurity, many parents are sending their children to other parts of the country – often alone and without any belongings. Many are able to stay with relatives, but many still find it difficult to finance school. 
The English-speaking part of Cameroon is made up of the North West and South West regions. The refugees are mainly moving towards the southeast and prefer cities as a place of refuge. This is where the Refugees back to school campaign by KamerunGO! and the NGO Hope and Life Cameroun. “We work with local partners such as schools or churches,” reports Ursina Sprenger, President of KamerunGO!. They report how many refugee children have arrived and what support they need. Often it is about paying for school uniforms or school materials. Some are even funded to go to private schools, as the free public schools are very overcrowded. “We are committed to providing as many children as possible with at least the minimum.” So far, 600 to 800 children have been able to return to school, some of them having not attended school for several years.
Medical care in serious cases
If a child is particularly notable for their poor health, intervention is also made there. This was the case with the refugee girl Joyce, who grew up in the English-speaking part of Cameroon: At the age of six, she was shot in the leg while playing in front of the house. She could only receive poor treatment in hospital, and even after several months the wound had not properly healed. At the beginning of the crisis, Joyce’s mother had gone to Douala with her own mother to earn money for the family. When she heard about the incident, she brought Joyce and her two siblings to Douala. Joyce, now 9 years old, was still walking with a crutch. Her mother could not afford further treatment – until she came into contact with Hope and Life Cameroun as part of the campaign: Joyce was immediately taken to the medical center and examined. Partner Bon Secours finally agreed to finance further treatment, and Joyce finally received the urgently needed operation. She now lives in Dimako in eastern Cameroon and continues to receive medical care. 
Joye on the day of her arrival in Dimako… …and the day of her operation. Of course, Joyce is by no means the only child in need of help – like her, countless other children suffer not only from physical but also emotional wounds. “Just like Joyce, many other children are suffering from various wounds, trauma and other things, many others even died,” says Samuel “Samy” Mpome, head of the NGO Hope and Life Cameroun . For years, the Norwegian Refugee Council has described the Anglophone crisis as one of the most neglected crises in the world – because despite the precarious situation, there is little media coverage. And due to the lack of willingness to cooperate, an end to the conflict is not expected in the near future. Paul Biya has turned down several offers of dialogue in the past, including one from Switzerland. A donation would enable us to help refugees in times of crisis, and to continue to ensure that refugee children receive an education and medical care. Thank you very much!
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