Contact: info@chrelief.org
Donate: https://www.chrelief.org/donate-now/
Greetings from the Cameroon Humanitarian Relief Initiative (CHRI). We are excited to share our spring 2024 update with you!
Updates on Cameroon
Entering its 7th year, the conflict in Southern Cameroons continues to displace, disrupt, and destroy lives.
Since late 2016, an armed conflict between the state defense forces and the non-state armed groups has ravaged the country. In the last 7 years, there have been more than 6,000 deaths, 987,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and 70,000 registered refugees in neighboring Nigeria, with approximately 3.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid. The Norwegian Refugee Council has referred to the conflict as the 8th most neglected globally. The long-term human capital consequences of this conflict are enormous.
The lived experience of conflict is not uniform, however, nearly 40 percent of Cameroonians live below the national poverty line of 1.42 USD per day. Widespread poverty will continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis brought about by the conflict, leaving over 2.5 million Cameroonians food insecure, 960,000 school-aged children and adolescents without access to education, and 1.1 million Cameroonians without healthcare support.
Despite persistent calls for dialogue and a peaceful resolution, the conflict continues. Action can be taken, however, to provide humanitarian support to individuals affected by the conflict. CHRI is committed to our mission of providing humanitarian assistance and advocating for a peaceful and sustainable resolution. Such assistance includes food and non-food items, skills-based and livelihood training, educational support, and medical support for those affected in Cameroon and refugees in Nigeria. Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to raise and distribute over $198,000 since 2018. Our most recent work includes:
Small Grant Project
In total, CHRI has provided 10 small grants to partner organizations in Cameroon since the start of 2022. Each grant provides up to 1,000 USD for a project implementation that addresses one or more of the following areas of focus: advocacy toward a resolution of the conflict, relief for internally displaced persons, and relief for refugees.
In partnership with CHRI, these organizations carry out projects throughout Southern Cameroons and Nigeria to provide humanitarian support to the region’s most vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing conflict.
Our first of two recent grant recipients is Hope and Rehabilitation Organization (HaRO) Cameroon.
Their project, “Women with Purpose”, aims to economically empower single mothers living in Yaoundé who are IDPs. As a result of the socio-political crises in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, many women have been forced to flee for their lives, leaving them economically insecure and vulnerable.
As such, this project provides training in income-generating activities. Over the project course, women will be trained in pastry making, yogurt making, entrepreneurial and business management skills, and trauma healing. At the end of the training, women with the best-developed business plans will be given start-up capital.
Our second recent grant recipient is Women in Action against Gender-Based Violence (WAG Cameroon).
Their project, “Saving Crisis Affected Pregnant Women and Girls in Need” aims to increase pregnant widowed women and girls’ access to essential healthcare services throughout pregnancy and during birth.
Many pregnant women and girls widowed by the crisis do not have livelihood sources and thus, are not able to access basic healthcare support during pregnancy. As such, Cameroon experiences a maternal mortality of 438 deaths per 100,000 live births which is much higher than the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of 70 deaths or less per 100,000 live births.
This project provides Ante Natal Clinic support (ANC), mamma kits (mother and baby preparation), delivery kit fees, and medical bills for women who have been impacted by the continuing conflict.
Other CHRI small projects awardees include the Cameroon Association of Media Professionals (CAMP), NSO Cultural and Development Association, the Tertiary Sisters of Saint Francis (TSSF), African Girls, Authentique Memorial Empowerment Foundation (AMEF), Royalty World, the Catholic Education Secretariat (CES), Diocese of Buea and the Egbekaw Farmers’ Cooperative. To support further projects, donate here.
Prison Outreach
We have completed our 127th prison outreach. On a bi-weekly basis, we provide essential food items, and basic medical and sanitary supplies to Southern Cameroonian detainees in Yaoundé, held without trial. Through your generous support, we hope to continue to help these individuals.
“On behalf of the hundreds of Southern Cameroons prisoners of conscience incarcerated (past and present) in Yaoundé we say THANK YOU for your continuous support in food and basic necessities. Since, 2018, you have gone through the odds and adversity of the political environment in Cameroon to provide regular food support to us and for that, we extend our huge gratitude.” (Coordinator for Prisoners, February, 2024)
Support
CHRI is currently in a period of transition and is looking for additional board member candidates. If you are interested, please email us at info@chrelief.org
As an organization that is entirely reliant on donations to accomplish the above missions, CHRI cannot do this without your generous support.
We kindly and sincerely request your financial support to continue to provide advocacy and humanitarian aid. Here is how to donate:
-Website: https://www.chrelief.org/donate-now/
-Paypal direct to: info@chrelief.org
-Cash App: $thechri2018
-Mailed check:
Cameroon Humanitarian Relief Initiative
4413 Nuttall Road
Fairfax, VA, 22032.
You can donate either as a lump sum or on a recurring basis. All funds donated are used to support all victims affected by the humanitarian crisis and conflict in Southern Cameroons.
We cannot THANK YOU enough for your continued support.
With deep gratitude,
The Cameroon Humanitarian Relief Initiative team
Contact
Email: info@chrelief.org
Facebook: @chrelief
Twitter: @chri_relief
Instagram: chri_cameroon
Website:https://www.chrelief.org/
Mailchimp Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hj_FCL
About CHRI: CHRI is a registered US 501-3c non-profit whose goals are to bring emergency humanitarian relief to those affected by the crisis and armed conflict in Cameroon (including refugees in Nigeria, internally displaced persons in Cameroon, and political prisoners) and to strongly advocate for a speedy resolution of the crisis and stop the senseless loss of lives.
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