Country Spotlight: Cameroon Achievements 2021

2021 Achievements | Ensuring the perspectives of children inform the Cluster response and strategy in Cameroon 

The complex humanitarian context in Cameroon, comprised of Boko Haram attacks in an already extremely vulnerable North, the ever-increasing influx of refugees from the Central African Republic in the East and growing insecurities leading to important population displacements in the West1.  

Early 2021, 1.9 million children needed education in emergencies assistance and, over the year, high insecurity and repeated attacks on schools, teachers, and students have prevented over 700,000 students from accessing education.2 The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded an already precarious situation, limiting school access for many children due to health prevention measures and loss of family income.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, the GEC strengthened its dedicated support to the Cameroon Education Cluster, co-led by UNICEF and Plan International. A virtual Core Coordination Training was delivered to enhance the capacities of coordination team and partners of the Education Cluster, culminating in a revision of the 2021-2024 cluster strategy. The revised strategy places a strong emphasis on addressing barriers to formal and non-formal education for girls and children with disabilities and linkages between education in emergencies and child protection. With support from GEC, the Cameroon cluster led the consultation of 365 children, ensuring the voices and unique perspectives of children inform the new strategy.  

These were also identified as key areas for the Multi Year Resilience Programme process launched by Education Cannot Wait in summer and successfully led by the Ministry of Education.