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| September 21, 2009 |
Cameroon
Cameron is an oasis of peace surrounded by some violent neighbors that include Congo, Chad and Central African Republic. For this reason I have long been curious about Cameroon. How is it that they have managed to maintain peace while surrounded by war? People here offered some answers. Peace for Cameroon is the top priority. There are 250 ethnic groups here. Cameroonians pride themselves on their acceptance of all ethnicities.I journeyed to the east to visit with some of the 66,000 refugees from CAR along that border. These traumatized and fragile people have been received into host villages. In one such village, formerly of 3000 people, 1000 refugees have been integrated. I saw all the children together in the village school. The refugees told me they were happy and very relieved to be out of danger. They said they never want to return to their homeland. A nearby health clinic is overflowing with many children suffering from malnutrition, respiratory and skin ailments.
I also went to northern Cameroon, a beautiful part of the country, to meet with Chadian refugees. Here in the north the situation is different. When Chadian rebels (supported by Sudan) attacked N'Djamena in an effort to topple the government, large numbers of Chadians fled into Cameroon. You can see Cameroon across the river in Ndjamena. I have often watched the hippos there. It's easy to cross the bridge and many terrified Chadians, and ex-patriots too, did just that as rebels hacked their way through town, leaving the streets strewn with bodies.
But the rebels were driven back into Sudan. Life resumed and most of the Chadians returned home. Only about 3000 remained in Cameroon. They live in a camp. Local authorities say the men make trouble. There are several theories as to the men's identities and their reasons for not wanting to return to Chad. Whatever the case, their basic needs are being met by UNHCR, Unicef, Red Cross Red Crescent and others. The school is full and functioning. I met with a group of women who asked for new clothes and for income generating activities, especially for their husbands. I was not permitted to meet with the men's group because they have previously taken violent action against ngos and authorities.
The countryside in Cameroon, particularly the north, is spectacular, but everywhere the land is lush and anything can grow.
I met with the Prime Minister, the First Lady and the Ministers of Health, Education and Social Services as well as with local Governors and authorities. Everywhere I was received most warmly and graciously. My message was the same to each. I came to Cameroon for 52,000 very good reasons. In this (relatively) middle-income country it is not acceptable that every year 52,000 children under the age of five are dying of malnutrition.
This is a case where the international community does not need to give money to Cameroon but rather we ask that the government step up and develop an effective infrastructure to address hunger in their country. The fact that they have so generously received huge numbers of refugees is commendable. For those who wish to assist the humanitarian agencies, working to sustain the refugees that is where to focus.
Tourists would love Cameroon. Gorgeous place with lovely people. I hear there are elephants and gorillas in wild life parks.