Refugee Management: Valuable Solidarity!

The management of refugees in Cameroon has received a psychological boost from neighbouring Nigeria and could in the days ahead witness voluntary repatriation which would logically lessen the mounting and even complex burden on the host country, should words be translated into concrete actions. In effect, the recent visit of the Governor of Nigeria’s Borno State, Babagana Zulum, to Cameroon’s Far North Region ignited hope of better coordinated and concerted actions in handling the challenging situation of the thousands of non-nationals who fled crisis in their home countries and are currently seeking safety in Cameroon.
Field reports say while addressing refugees at the Minawao camp in the Far North region, as part of ongoing efforts to return those who remain displaced, Governor Babagana Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to repatriate more than 12,000 Nigerian refugees from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya and surrounding communities in Gwoza Local Government Area, who have been living in Cameroon for over a decade. He is quoted to have said the initiative aims to restore the dignity of victims of insurgency, including Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. 
Obviously, the Borno State Governor’s visit to the Far North Region of Cameroon, and notably his interaction with Cameroonian authorities and the refugees; no doubt provided significant relief and renewed optimism among the refugees. It is even said that for many, his presence signalled that the long road home was finally opening, while others described it as their “first real assurance.” This air of optimism is borne out of the hope-raising announcements that the visiting Nigerian Senior States’ official made. That the Governor also announced the provision of cash support for shelter rehabilitation to those willing to go back, a measure designed to help returnees begin the process of reconstructing their homes and restoring a sense of normalcy upon resettlement, left many with hope. He is quoted to have declared that Borno State, in partnership with the Federal Government, will provide cash assistance of N500,000 (about FCFA 194,156) to each refugee willing to return home, while female-headed households will each receive N100,000 (about FCFA 38,831.2). In addition, he pledged to drill boreholes to the refugees. Although the promised aid might not be equal to skyrocketing life’s needs, it at least sounds reassuring both for the refugees; for a better life when they return home, and the host government; that her adopted children are not returning to the wilds. More so as it represents just a fraction of an apparently wide support package. 
Worth noting again is that during his visit, Governor Zulum also toured farmlands allocated to the refugees by the Cameroonian government, which have become their primary source of livelihood. It is reported that while assessing the fields, he commended the refugees’ resilience and the generosity of the host authorities; assuring farmers that his administration would support their agricultural activities by providing irrigation kits and water sources to boost productivity. Empowering refugees to sustain their livelihoods, as he said, is central to restoring dignity and ensuring a smooth transition back into their communities. An ideal path not only for Nigerian refugees based in Cameroon, but for the rest from other countries. 
This certainly explains why Cameroon’s Far North Regional Governor, Midjiyawa Bakari said Governor Zulum’s presence and hands-on support have not only provided relief to the refugees, but have as well strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon in addressing movement and regional stability. Salutary move w...