Many people lost their lives; houses and tents were destroyed in the conflict that broke out following disputes between the Choa and Mousgoum tribes regarding the use of water sources and land in the Logone-Birni region, north Cameroon.
Following the conflict, 45.000 people fled to the neighboring country Chad.
Most of the refugees are women and children
A majority of the refugees that consisting mainly of women and children were forced to flee their homes without their belongings. With the coming of winter, thousands of refugees that are living under compelling conditions in the Unduma, Milezi and Walia Ngueli camps are now facing freezing weather. The refugees have no tents, straw mats or blankets because there are no organized camps in the region, and they are also struggling to find food. As we speak, the refugees are still in so much need for basic food and shelter.
Aid efforts were launched
Immediately after the Cameroon refugees fled to Chad, IHH launched an emergency aid campaign. Initially, aid packets containing cooking oil, rice, tomato puree, pasta, salt, onions, saucepans, netting, straw mats and blankets were distributed to 240 refugee families living in the Milezi camp. 20 cattle were also sacrificed and the meat was distributed to 400 families in the camp. In addition to the Milezi camp, a visit was also made to the Unduma and Walia Ngueli camps where our teams assessed the emergency needs there. As part of our emergency aid operations, IHH teams aim to distribute food packets containing flour, rice, pasta, cooking oil, tomato puree and salt, and also netting, blankets and straw mats to these camps. Donors that want to support our campaign can donate via IHH bank accounts stating the code 15717.