The UN refugee director begins a six-day visit to Cameroon

Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, the regional Director for West and Central Africa of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), started working in Cameroon today, Monday, August 28, 2023.

The UN official will end the visit to the Minawao refugee Camp in the Mayo Tsanaga Division of the Far North Region of Cameroon on Saturday, September 2, 2023, after six days, according to the Guardian Post daily newspaper.

Reports say the UNHCR aims to strengthen its commitment to work with the government of Cameroon and other stakeholders on finding solutions for refugees and displaced people during the near-one-week visit.

Gnon-Konde would also hold talks with top government officials, including Ministers of External Relations, Territorial Administration, and the Economy, Planning, and Regional Development.

He is due to discuss the Yaoundé declaration on durable solutions for Central African refugees, the return of 27,000 Cameroonian refugees from Chad, and the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees.

They also say that high-level talks during the visit will highlight the need to improve the inclusion of refugees and Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) in national and local development plans and programs.

Cameroon is facing an influx of refugees.

It should be noted that the Republic of Cameroon is facing a massive influx of refugees from neighbouring countries.

Nearly half a million refugees, including over two million people from Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic, have fled their homes in search of safety and security in Cameroon.

The UN agency has closely collaborated with a wide range of partners, including decentralised and Government ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society, the refugee community, donors, and other humanitarian actors. Together, they have been responding to the most pressing needs of refugees and other displaced persons across the country.