Saudi Arabia Donates Over 132 Billion FCFA to Lake Chad Basin Victims

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated 215 million dollars, about 132 billion FCFA, as humanitarian aid to Lake Chad Basin victims.

The money pledged during a visit of the Saudi Ambassador to Cameroon to the Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday, January 29.

The Saudi Ambassador, Hamid Alghamedi, stated during the audience with Health Minister Manaouda Malachie that it aims to assist displaced victims of Lake Chad Basin.

The donation is through the King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Action.

The Kingdom of Saudi has requested the appointment of a focal point from the Ministry of Public Health to manage the money in collaboration with the High Commissioner for refugees. This focal point will work closely with the Director of the Health and Environment Aid Department.

Impact of Donation

Representing the Cameroon government in the donation exercise, Health Minister Dr Manaouda Malachie expressed the gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, first for the latest medical campaign that continues to resonate with the beneficiary populations of the north, but also for the humanitarian aid that it is still preparing to provide to the refugees who are on Cameroonian soil. 

A State from the ministry said the Minister had emphasized that the Government has never skimped on the means to ensure not only the safety, but also the security of this vulnerable group while adding that the funding from Saudi Arabia will further enable the State to strengthen this care. 

This is not the first time the Saudis are supporting humanitarian endeavors in the country.

Last October, Saudi Arabia, according to Cameron’s Ministry of Health, organized a media caravan in the Far North, North and Adamawa Regions. 

“This initiative made it possible to carry out 214 surgical operations and provide 572 medical consultations, thus demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to access to care in remote areas.” The ministry added.

To Dr. Manaouda Malachie, the gesture underscores the strong cooperation ties between the two countries, in the field of health and humanitarian aid.  

“It also paves the way for future actions, particularly in improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations in Cameroon.” The Minister said.

Victims Of Lake Chad Basin

The Lake Chad Basin cuts across Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and Nigeria.

The region faces several crises, including Boko Haram conflicts, intertribal wars, and climate change disasters like floods, among others.

Over 3 million people have been affected in the region.

These multiple crises have resulted in more than 1,500 lives lost.

The crises have been recurrent, and as such, over 3 million inhabitants have been displaced in the countries surrounding it.

Mimi Mefo Info