The Minawao Refugees receive some help
In June 2016, ADRA Cameroon proceeded with the distribution of 400 WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) kits to the Minawao camp refugees in the Far North of Cameroon. That was a joint action in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
It is very hot in Minawao camp. Water is scarce. Living conditions are precarious. The ADRA Cameroon Volunteers, the vigilance committee and the manager of the camp of refugees are at work. Most of those camp residents are made up of Nigerians and the displaced populations from other border areas inside Cameroon. This is the time for the distribution of 400 WASH kits. These kits comprise a 25 liters container to fetch water; a bucket of 21 liters with lid to keep some water in the tents; four pieces of soap for hygiene and two towels.
Long before this distribution NDAVOUMTA Daniel, coordinator of ADRA emergency project organized the sensitization team. "On 30th and 31st May, the 400 identified refugees have benefited from awareness campaigns on personal hygiene and environmental hygiene, and on the use and the maintenance of the kits." This communication took place in a place called "Kirikou".
According to the director of ADRA Cameroon, Pierre Célestin Mutarambirwa, "a list of 710 households was provided by UNHCR. We selected 400 households that were to receive the WASH kits. The selection criteria were based on the size of households and the vulnerability of the beneficiaries (old people and small children). Under the coordination of the ADRA project manager some volunteers went household after household to identify 400 beneficiaries. "
According to the June 2016 data provided by the UNHCR, there were 56,852 refugees in the MINAWAO Camp. And every day there is an average of 50 new registered refugees in the camp. The number of refugees is increasing day by day. The aid certainly did not cover all residents of Minawao but at the end, many women showed their gratitude to ADRA Cameroon. There is an urgent call for donations.
The Islamist sect Boko Haram continues to perpetrate its abuses by attacking villages on the borders with Chad and Nigeria. One of the many damages is the moving and the dismemberment of populations. According to a verbal survey of some refugees, the presence of ADRA in the camp is highly stressed. The needs of water, food, latrines and many other things in the areas of education and health are increasing.