Cameroon is grappling with overlapping crises of conflict, flooding, and mass displacement, with the Far North, North-West, and South-West regions hardest hit. In July 2025, severe floods affected more than 178,000 people and are projected to impact over 400,000 by September. Families displaced into makeshift shelters face heightened risks, with women and girls particularly exposed to sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and early marriage. A 40 per cent rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases has been reported in internally displaced persons sites, while widespread damage to health facilities and blocked roads contributed to six maternal deaths in July alone.
UNFPA is responding by scaling up essential services to meet urgent needs. In July, 55 midwives were deployed to 32 health facilities, reaching 7,414 people with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including 3,000 antenatal consultations and 1,036 assisted births. Interventions also treated severe obstetric complications and neonatal emergencies, and nearly 1,000 women accessed modern contraceptives. On GBV, awareness campaigns reached more than 3,200 people, while 319 survivors, including women and girls with disabilities, received psychosocial support and case management in safe spaces. Community initiatives mobilized 70 youth volunteers for peacebuilding and trained religious and traditional leaders to promote positive masculinity and challenge harmful norms.
Despite these critical interventions, funding remains a severe constraint. UNFPA requires US$9 million to sustain its humanitarian operations in Cameroon in 2025 but has raised only US$3.5 million to date. This leaves a 61 per cent funding gap, jeopardizing the continuation of lifesaving SRH and GBV services for women and girls in areas most affected by conflict and disaster. Urgent donor support is needed to prevent further deterioration of health and protection outcomes.
