VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN SOUTHWEST CAMEROON STRUGGLE AMID FLOODING AND DISEASE
For decades, the Southwest Region of Cameroon has faced the relentless challenges of natural disasters, with increasingly severe flooding exacerbated by climate change. Each year, thousands of vulnerable children suffer the consequences of these disasters, compounded by an ongoing eight-year crisis in the region.
Floods devastate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, leaving restrooms, drinking water points, and hygiene materials inaccessible. This contamination, especially in schools, escalates the risk of disease outbreaks like cholera, frequently occurring in these areas. Climate change impacts the cost, access, quality, and sustainability of WASH services for households, schools, and health centres.
Government Primary School Down Beach in Limbe is one of the hardest-hit areas. Heavy rains flood the campus at the start of each school year, making it unsafe for studies. The lack of functional WASH facilities renders the environment unsuitable for young students to learn safely. In response, UNICEF and its WASH partners are developing preventive measures against potential cholera epidemics resulting from these disasters. To reduce the impacts of climate-induced disasters, UNICEF has constructed climate-resilient WASH facilities, including elevated latrines, access roads, and a stand tap ensuring that children can continue to access clean drinking water, improved latrines, and practice good hygiene during and after flooding. These efforts are complemented by the provision of safe drinking water and hygiene kits to over 2,000 children affected by the floods.
In addition to this climate-resilient structure UNICEF and its partners have constructed 11 similar structures in the North West and South West Regions, especially in major hard-to-reach areas like GS Tombel, FOGOPAMS Mbalangi, GS Peng, Catholic school Wotutu, GS Mabeta amongst others.
Given that in the South West severe floods have compromised the safety of normal potable water schemes, leaving communities vulnerable to diseases like cholera and typhoid, UNICEF has invested in climate-resilient WASH infrastructure, providing clean water to thousands during disasters.
One of the climate-resilient structures built is the solar water scheme at Mutengene, with an extension pipeline and stand tap supplying Hardford Bilingual primary and secondary schools, as well as four stand taps for the community. UNICEF Cameroon, in collaboration with partners, supports the government and communities in developing and maintaining efficient water systems. This ensures that communities remain healthy, and children are protected from life-threatening diseases linked to contaminated water. A shining example is in Limbe Road, Quarter 19, Mutengene, where UNICEF, with support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), has set up an autonomous photovoltaic water supply system. This system provides clean and safe drinking water to over 1,000 people, including 250 households, reducing water-related illnesses in the community.
These interventions have enormously contributed to school attendance, health and condition development, the adoption of positive hygiene behaviour, and dignity for vulnerable children affected by the crisis. They have helped curb the spread of waterborne diseases among school children and adolescents.
Despite these efforts, much remains to be done. Many other schools in these crisis-affected regions still lack improved WASH facilities and services. Additionally, the region continues to face flooding and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, affecting especially the internally displaced children in the area. UNICEF’s work, while impactful, highlights the need for continued support and intervention to protect the most vulnerable.
Written by Chungom Emmanuel, Intern Partnership Advocacy and Communications in Buea
