Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has led a delegation to the Far North Region to support 200,000 flood victims with 350 million FCFA.
A week ago, heavy rains caused floods in some parts of the Far North region, destroying houses, roads, and bridges and killing 17 people, according to the Ministry of Public Health. However, the figure of the death toll has been disputed by the Ministry of Territorial Administration, which said 11 people died.
The damage caused by the floods affected 200,000 people in the region, and the government has to give each one of them 1,750 FCFA (USD 3).
The amount has been considered by critics as largely too small compared to the increased cost of living in the country and poverty.
Before the Minat Boss visit, other ministers, including that of public health, Manouda Malachie, and that of housing and urban development, Celestine Ketcha Kutest, gave victims some food items and a few cartoons of waggons.
350 Million Insignificant Compared To Other Government Spendings
In 2023, an earthquake occurred in Turkey, a country in Europe, and the Cameroonian government supported the victims with one million dollars (about 600 million FCFA).
In April 2024, the government subsidised hajj for those who went to Mecca for pilgrimage with 1.6 billion FCFA.
Just recently, the government disbursed over $1 billion for the holding of two matches by the Indomitable Lions ahead of AFCON Qualifications.
The people in the Far North might not be in dire need of billions right now because of the catastrophic humanitarian situation. Just 1,750 FCFA will not be able to sustain a person for a day.
But the government is spending billions on people like Pilgrims and players who already had much.
Politicians sympathise with victims.
The situation in some parts of the Far North has got many politicians reacting.
Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Rennaisance Movement has called for solidarity for the victims there.
“Since at least 2012, this region of the Far North has been regularly devastated, victim of floods and other disasters, many of which could have been avoided, since we know the cycle. One day, we will have to shed light on the role of the Civil Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and the destination of the billions of CFA francs allocated to it each year in the state budget,” he said.
According to him, the current situation requires extremely urgent action to come to the aid of victims.
“While waiting for responsibilities to be established in the mismanagement of the billions of CFA francs allocated by the state to sustainably remedy this situation since the devastating floods of 2012, I invite the activists and sympathisers of the MRC and all Cameroonians of goodwill from all ten regions of the country to mobilise to provide all the necessary assistance to the populations currently in distress in the Far North region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cabra Libii, President of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, has instead called on the government to be more humane and responsible considering the small relief package.
“We ask for all the information on the protection plan for our grieving and helpless compatriots. These populations must feel protected by the state, whatever the cost,” he said.
The same message was echoed by Serge Espoir Matumba of the PURS Party.
“It is with profound sadness and immense compassion that I address you today, as our Mayo-Danay Department endures a period of pain and devastation. The recent floods have caused significant damage, and I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families affected by the loss of their loved ones. Human life is precious, and every loss touches us deeply,” he said, adding that every loss is a hard blow to our community, and I share in your grief.
