The Role of Development Actors During the Crisis in the Northwest Region

Essay , 2023 , 9 Pages

Politics - Region: Africa

The crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon has been ongoing since 2016, with violent clashes between separatist groups and government forces leading to a humanitarian crisis. Development actors have played a critical role in responding to the crisis, providing vital assistance to those affected by the conflict. This article examines the role of development actors during the crisis, including their contributions and challenges faced in delivering aid.

Development actors, including international organizations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have been instrumental in responding to the crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. These actors have provided essential services such as healthcare, education, food assistance, and protection to those affected by the conflict. They have also worked to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in the region.

One significant challenge faced by development actors has been access to areas affected by the conflict. The security situation in the Northwest Region has made it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need, particularly in rural areas. In addition, there have been reports of aid workers being targeted by armed groups, further complicating efforts to deliver aid. Another challenge has been funding and coordination. While development actors have mobilized significant resources to respond to the crisis, funding gaps remain. This has limited their ability to provide comprehensive assistance to those affected by the conflict. Despite these challenges, development actors have made significant contributions toward addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Through their efforts, they have helped alleviate suffering and promote stability in a region plagued by violence and instability.

THE ROLE OF DEVELOPMENT ACTORS DURING THE CRISIS IN THE NORTHWEST REGION OF CAMEROON

By FUH GEORGE CHEO

ABSTRACT

The crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon has been ongoing since 2016, with violent clashes between separatist groups and government forces leading to a humanitarian crisis. Development actors have played a critical role in responding to the crisis, providing vital assistance to those affected by the conflict. This article examines the role of development actors during the crisis, including their contributions and challenges faced in delivering aid. Development actors, including international organizations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have been instrumental in responding to the crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. These actors have provided essential services such as healthcare, education, food assistance, and protection to those affected by the conflict. They have also worked to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in the region. One significant challenge faced by development actors has been access to areas affected by the conflict. The security situation in the Northwest Region has made it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need, particularly in rural areas. In addition, there have been reports of aid workers being targeted by armed groups, further complicating efforts to deliver aid. Another challenge has been funding and coordination. While development actors have mobilized significant resources to respond to the crisis, funding gaps remain. This has limited their ability to provide comprehensive assistance to those affected by the conflict. Despite these challenges, development actors have made significant contributions toward addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Through their efforts, they have helped alleviate suffering and promote stability in a region plagued by violence and instability.

Introduction

Development actors refer to organizations or individuals involved in development work, such as international aid agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies. The intervention of development actors during a crisis is crucial in ensuring that the affected communities receive the necessary support to cope with the situation. Development actors, therefore, have a critical role to play in crisis situations, particularly in providing humanitarian assistance, promoting early recovery, and supporting long-term development efforts (UNDP, 2019).

Roles of development actors during a crisis

One of the primary roles of development actors during a crisis is to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities. This involves providing basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and medical care. The UNDP (2019) emphasizes that humanitarian assistance should be coordinated to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently. In addition to providing immediate relief, development actors should also work towards promoting early recovery by supporting livelihoods and economic activities (UNDP, 2019). This can help communities get back on their feet and reduce their dependence on external aid.

Another critical role of development actors during a crisis is to support long-term development efforts. Crises can have long-lasting effects on economic growth and development. Therefore, it is essential for development actors to work towards building resilience and reducing vulnerability in affected communities. This can involve investing in infrastructure, improving access to education and healthcare services, and promoting sustainable economic growth (World Bank (2020).

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC,2017) also emphasizes the importance of involving affected communities in response efforts. The IFRC notes that community engagement can help ensure that response efforts are tailored to the community’s specific needs and that resources are used effectively. Community engagement can also help build trust between development actors and affected communities, which is crucial for long-term development efforts.

Development actors, therefore, play a critical role in crisis situations by providing humanitarian assistance, promoting early recovery, and supporting long-term development efforts. It is essential for development actors to work in a coordinated manner and involve affected communities in the response efforts to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently.

Impact of the Crisis on the Northwest Region

The Northwest Region of Cameroon has been experiencing a crisis for several years now, which has had a significant impact on its development. The crisis is primarily due to political and social factors, including the marginalization of Anglophones, who make up the majority of the population in the region. The crisis has led to violence, displacement, and a decline in economic activity. The crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon has resulted in one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises, with an estimated 1.5 million people in need of assistance" (UNOCHA, 2021).

According to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) (2019), "the root cause of the crisis is the Anglophone minority's perceived marginalization by the Francophone-dominated state." The report also notes that "the government's response to peaceful protests in late 2016 and early 2017 was heavy-handed, leading to clashes and radicalization."

The crisis has had a significant impact on development in the Northwest Region. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2018) noted that the crisis has led to a decline in economic activity, with many businesses closing down or relocating to other parts of Cameroon. This has led to a significant increase in poverty and unemployment in the region.

Human Rights Watch (HRW, 2018) highlights the impact of the crisis on education in the region where schools have been closed for extended periods due to insecurity, with teachers and students afraid to attend. This has led to a decline in educational standards and an increase in illiteracy rates.

Another challenge is the displacement of people from their homes, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) reports that as of December 2020, there were over 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Cameroon, with over 60% of them located in the Northwest and Southwest regions" (IDMC, 2021). This has put a strain on existing resources and infrastructure, making it difficult for development actors to provide adequate assistance.

Additionally, the crisis has resulted in a breakdown of social services such as healthcare and education with over 80% of health facilities have been closed or are functioning at reduced capacity due to insecurity and displacement" (UNICEF, 2021). This has led to an increase in preventable diseases and deaths, particularly among children.

The crisis has also led to widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture. According to Amnesty International, "security forces have used excessive force against protesters and carried out arbitrary arrests and detentions." Separatist groups have also been responsible for human rights abuses, including kidnapping and extortion.

The crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon has significantly impacted the region's education system, economy, and human rights situation. The conflict has left many children without access to education, businesses struggling to survive, and people facing human rights abuses on a daily basis.

The intervention of Humanitarian Development Actors

Development actors in the region include international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and local civil society groups. These actors work together to provide emergency relief assistance such as food aid, shelter, and medical care to displaced populations. They also support longer-term development initiatives such as livelihood programs, education projects, and peacebuilding efforts.

Several development interventions have been implemented to address the crisis in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. These interventions aim to provide humanitarian assistance, support economic recovery, and promote social cohesion. Some examples include:

- The United Nations agencies such as Development Programme (UNDP), UNHCR, UNICEF WHO, WFP, IOM, UNFPLA, and ILO, have implemented projects to support the economic recovery, health, nutrition, shelter, fight against Gender-based violence, education in the conflict-affected communities in the Northwest Region. The project provides vocational training, business development support, and access to finance for small businesses.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Danish Refugee, Council (DRC), and some local NGOs such as Caritas, LUKMEF, COMMINSUD, etc. have provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in the Northwest Region. This includes distributing food and other essential items, providing healthcare services, and supporting water and sanitation infrastructure.
- The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has implemented a project to promote social cohesion among communities affected by the conflict in the Northwest Region. The project brings together people from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds to participate in joint activities such as sports, cultural events, and community service.

Despite the efforts of development actors in the region, significant challenges still need to be addressed. These include ongoing violence and insecurity, limited access to affected areas due to roadblocks and other obstacles, and funding constraints that limit the scale and scope of relief efforts.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA, 2022), as of January 2022, there were over 900,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. Humanitarian organizations were providing assistance in areas such as food security, health, protection, shelter, and water and sanitation.

One organization providing humanitarian support in the Northwest Region is Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, 2020). MSF has been providing medical assistance to those affected by the crisis, including running mobile clinics and supporting local health facilities. In a press release in November 2020, MSF stated that they had treated over 10,000 patients in the Northwest Region since they began their operations there in 2018.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been working to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the crisis, including distributing food and essential household items. In a statement in August 2020, the head of the ICRC delegation in Cameroon stated that they had provided assistance to over 40,000 people affected by the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

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• Author: Fuh George Cheo (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 9
• Catalog Number: V1352268
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346866349
• Language: English
• Tags: role, development, actors, during, crisis, northwest, region