TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH WASH: EMPOWERING VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS
The ongoing crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon has created an emergency humanitarian situation, particularly in rural areas like Ngoketunjia Division. Children and women remain the most affected, facing heightened risks of preventable diseases due to open defecation, limited access to clean water, and poor hygiene practices. Addressing these challenges, UNICEF, with funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and in partnership with Global Community Rescue (GCR), is implementing a critical emergency project titled “Addressing the water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of Vulnerable Children and persons among displaced, returnees, and host populations in the northwest region of Cameroon”.
This initiative is providing lifesaving support to families in Babessi Subdivision. It includes cash assistance to meet urgent WASH needs and community sensitization on hygiene and sanitation. Over 450 beneficiaries have used this support to improve their lives, with some constructing new toilets, others rehabilitating existing facilities, and many acquiring essential items like soap, buckets, and sanitary pads. Alongside financial support, beneficiaries also participated in awareness sessions that empowered them with knowledge about maintaining proper hygiene, safely handling water, and managing menstrual hygiene with dignity.
Glory Senemi is a mother of three in Babessi, and to her, this initiative has been a lifeline.
“Before receiving cash assistance, my family and I faced enormous challenges. We lacked basic WASH supplies, and my children were constantly falling sick from waterborne diseases,” she explained.
Glory received 51,000 XAF, which she used to purchase soap, toilet paper, sanitary pads, and a new covered bucket for water storage.
“The learning of proper hygiene has transformed our hygiene practices. My daughters can now attend school with confidence during their menstrual cycles, and our risk of illness has reduced significantly,” she shared.
Glory also emphasized how the sensitization sessions equipped her with essential knowledge.
“Learning about proper handwashing, waste disposal, and maintaining a clean environment has empowered us to take charge of our health.”
For many families, the lack of sanitation facilities has been a long-standing source of hardship and indignity. Clifford Lukong, another beneficiary, used his cash transfer of 51,000 XAF to construct a toilet for his family.
“We didn’t have a toilet and often had to defecate in the bush. This made maintaining hygiene and sanitation a constant struggle,” he explained.
The new toilet has profoundly improved their lives.
“My children can now use a safe and clean facility. We no longer face the indignity and health risks of open defecation. This has brought us relief and a renewed sense of dignity,” Clifford shared.
Clifford also highlighted the value of the hygiene promotion sessions, which taught his family crucial practices like regular handwashing with soap and proper waste disposal.
“We are healthier now, and the training has completely changed our understanding of hygiene and sanitation,” he said.
While the project has brought much-needed relief to many families, some challenges remain. Hasan Sani, a resident of Babessi, received 30,600 XAF to purchase essential WASH items, including soap, buckets, and toilet tissue. This assistance significantly improved his family’s hygiene practices.
However, Hasan’s family still lacks a toilet, exposing them to ongoing health risks.
“We are deeply grateful for the support we’ve received, but the absence of sanitation facilities remains a pressing issue. We appeal for additional help to construct toilets and further improve our living conditions,” he urged.
Hasan’s story underscores the need for continued investment in WASH infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
For young mothers like Christina Senkoh, the project has brought hope and stability. Christina, who lives in the Baba I community, used her cash transfer of 50,600 XAF to purchase a WASH kit.
“Before this assistance, maintaining good hygiene was a daily struggle. Now, my family is healthier, and my children are less prone to falling ill,” she shared.
Christina expressed her gratitude for the combined financial and educational support.
“The hygiene promotion sessions were invaluable. We learned about proper handwashing, safe water handling, and maintaining a clean environment. This knowledge has been transformative for my family.”
These testimonies from Babessi Subdivision highlight the profound impact of the CERF-funded WASH project implemented by UNICEF and GCR. By addressing urgent WASH needs, the initiative has brought health, dignity, and hope to families facing Cameroon’s ongoing crisis. From restoring dignity through sanitation facilities to empowering families with hygiene education, the project is transforming lives.
However, as Hasan’s story reveals, significant gaps remain, particularly in providing toilets for all families. Addressing these needs is not just about improving health and sanitation; it is about protecting the most vulnerable children.
Children are often the first to suffer the consequences of poor hygiene and sanitation. Unsafe water and open defecation expose them to preventable diseases, malnutrition, and even death. Investing in WASH services is investing in their future, giving them a chance to grow up healthy, confident, and with dignity. UNICEF remains committed to working with partners to ensure every child can access clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene education. Together, we can build a future where no child is left behind.
For every child, proper hygiene
Written by UNICEF implementing Partner GCR and Chungom Emmanuel
