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RAPID NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT GOURA, Logone and Chari Division in the Far North Region of Cameroon.

1. General information:

Name and nature of the disaster Armed conflicts

Date on which the rapid needs assessment was conducted.

February 5, 2019

Date on which the rapid needs assessment report was written.

February 8, 2019

Full name, job title, e-mail and phone number of the team leader/ person writing the report.

KONE Dramane

Emergency Response Manager

Dramane.kone@plan-international.org 2. Situation Overview

Cameroon is currently facing a massive influx of about 35,000 Nigerian asylum seekers in the locality of

Goura (whose local population is estimated at about 750 inhabitants), in the Logone and Chari division of

the Far North Region of Cameroon.

In order to have a quick assessment of the situation, a team of 13 people went to the Goura site on February

5, 2019 for data collection, using a questionnaire with about 350 people at the site. Face-to-face interviews

and focus groups were organized throughout the site, targeting children (girls and boys), adults (men and

women), community leaders (Blamas and other leaders) and humanitarian actors present on the site (IRC,

PC, ACF,...). This report is based on survey and also on the use of secondary sources such as inter-sectoral

reports’ meetings of humanitarian workers in Goura.

During the night of 28th breaking 29th January 2019, some Nigerians fleeing their localities started crossing

the border into the Cameroon site, especially in the locality of Goura (Blabling) where from January 29 in the

morning, they began to settle, some being hosted by the host families of the locality of Goura and in the

riverside villages like Medina and Bodo. These first-comers reported that there were cases of fire incidents

in homes, fields and warehouses, as well as killings committed by the insurgents across the border (in

Nigeria), particularly in Rann.

In addition to the Goura site, family movements to neighboring villages along the road between Goura and

Maltam were observed, particularly in Bodo and Medina, increasing the risk of infiltration of insurgents

among the displaced persons. On the Goura site, in addition to asylum seekers and host populations, there

was a minority of IDPs. So far, there is a peaceful coexistence between asylum seekers and host populations.

According to the report of the inter-sectoral meetings held daily on the Goura site from 29th January 2019,

data collected from the Blamas (chiefs) of Nigerian villages present on the Goura site allow to count on the

site about 5,545 households representing 27,187 individuals (an average of 5 persons per household),

without taking into account the groups received directly in the villages by the local populations with whom

they share the same roof, groups estimated were made up of about 7,000 individuals. To date, the number

of asylum seekers is estimated at about 35,000.

From January 30, 2019, there are movements of people going to collect their personal belongings in the

Elbeid River, specifically at the crossing point between Labado (Cameroon side) and the Abounimiré locality

(Nigeria side). It was also noted that men went to Rann to take some belongings from their families when

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they find them. Interviews conducted reveal that Nigerian army soldiers are not more visible in the town of

Rann, which has been deserted by the majority of its inhabitants.

February rst, was marked by the visit of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs in Cameroon, Ms. Allegra

Baiocchi to the Goura site, accompanied by the Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Cameroon. She and all

the partners who accompanied her were welcomed into the Division by the Deputy Senior Divisional Officer,

the Divisional Officer and the Mayor of Makary. During the visit the village heads of asylum seekers

presented their main grievances among which were; the ardent wish to live in a secure environment, the

insurance benefit from the protection of the Cameroonian authorities, as well as improving their difficult

living conditions. The two main ethnic groups present were Kanuris and Kotokos

Although access to the Goura site during this dry season was relatively easy (despite the slightly degraded

state of the roads), access would be extremely difficult in the raining season due to mud and floods.

Security is currently ensured on one hand by the vigilante teams set up by the leaders of the asylum seekers,

and on the other hand by the Cameroonian armed forces. The area is not served by electricity (although

there are some solar lights), which increases the risks of insecurity. This situation is more delicate as there

are risks of infiltration of insurgents into the site, security risks on humanitarian personnel and their teams

together with the risks of various crimes such as theft, rape, etc.

In addition, the road access to the site could be facilitated by the N'Djamena and Maroua airports, as well as

the Maltam, Makary and Bodo airbases. There are department stores that could facilitate the storage of

products in Makary and Kousseri and private security provided locally by the services of the company "DAK

Security" which is a private security structure. The nearest railway point is N'Gaoundéré. The nearest ports

are in Douala and Kribi and the operational banks in Kousseri (the nearest city) are Afriland first bank, SGBC,

BICEC and CCA. The defense forces available in the area are: military, BIR, policeman, police. Any medium or

long-term operational planning took into account the period of Ramadan (May-August), rains (June-

October), the beginning of the school year in September and large-scale field crops in October.

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3. Needs

A few days after the massive arrival of asylum seekers, relying on rapid data collection, secondary data from partners and direct observation; taking into account the pressure that the influx of asylum seekers had on local resources and the need to maintain social cohesion, the following needs have been identified. Nutrition:

- Potable water, Food: rice, cooking oil, millet, beans, salt, sugar, fish, tomato, milk.

NFI: - Blankets, - hygiene kits (soaps, buckets, toothpastes ...), - Kitchen kits (pots, dishes, cutlery, buckets ...), - Clothing, - Mats, - Mattress, - Emergency shelter kits (tarpaulins, plank, ropes, mats), - Mosquitoes net - Solar lamps.

Health: - Mobile Health Center with staff and equipment required, - Drugs, - Medical transport means (ambulance, etc.), - Muffler.

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Protection: - Psycho-social support for children, parents and guardians. - Management of identified cases. - Sensitization of children and parents on Child Protection and Gender Based Violence. - Cross-cutting support related to protection in the areas of education, health, nutrition,

livelihoods, adapted housing, - Child friendly Spaces (CFS), - Community based mechanisms for the prevention and response to protection and gender-based

violence cases, - Family reunification mechanism, - Support to local vigilance committees (community watch groups), - Birth certificates for newborns

- Documentation of asylum seekers Education:

- School kits (equipment, books, notebooks ...), - Teachers for the supervision of children - Educational spaces (temporary or permanent buildings), - School canteens, - Bathroom, - Drinking water point, - Awareness of children and parents.

Livelihood:

- Financial support to launch or strengthen Income Generating Activities (AGR), - Training in IGA management, - Support for livestock and small businesses, - Support for agriculture (especially inputs such as seeds (millet, maize and okra) and creation of

secure agricultural areas). Water Sanitation and Hygiene :

- Defecation trenches, - Gender sensitive latrines (separated for girls and boys) and accessible to people with disabilities, - Drinking water supply points, - Home water treatment products (Aquatabs, etc.), - Buckets, cups, - Small cleaning equipment (brooms, rakes, garbage bucket, etc.) Soaps, - Cans, - Garbage bins, - Sanitary pad for teenage girls and women of childbearing age, - Awareness on good hygiene and sanitation practices.

Others:

- Reinforced security of the site to prevent infiltration of insurgents and deterioration of the site's equipment,

- Improvement of the condition of the roads leading to the site, - Electrification of the site.

Note that these needs are even more critical with the most vulnerable group identified on the site:

- Pregnant women, - Women who lost a child or a husband during the crisis,

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- Women head of households, - breastfeeding women, - Mother girls - Survivor (s) of protection or GBV, - people of old age, - Orphans, - Children under 5, - Unaccompanied or separated children, - Children head of family, - People with Disabilities.

4. Coverage and Gaps analysis

4.1 Humanitarian’s assistance coverage: Several humanitarian organizations were already present on the site and intervene in the sector of

protection (IRC, PC, UNHCR, International Plan, IMC, INTERSOS, ICRC, PUI), WASH (UNHCR, MSF,

Solidarité, IRC, PUI, UNICEF, Sapeur-pompier), health (ACF ALIMA, Makary Health District), food security and logistics (WFP, FAO, SAHELI), Shelter and NFIs (UNHCR, PC). 4.2 Level of humanitarian response to affected populations : While all humanitarian partners have started interventions in these different areas, considerable gaps in terms of effective response to the needs expressed by all remain very important. More resources (material, human, financial) are being mobilized from day to day and a constant improvement of the humanitarian response is observed. Coordinated efforts are currently making it possible to reduce duplication and ensure better synergy for all humanitarian actors. More specifically, we currently have this situation per sector: Protection: It has been observed that many children walk alone in the Goura site, with little or no adult supervision enhanced by the nonexistence of playgrounds as well as no coordinated recreational activities. For the moment, there is no protection committee and there is little information collected on the violence and abuse of children. Some children are separated from their families, others are unaccompanied, disabled, orphaned. Some child-headed households have been identified and it has been reported that some have been abducted in Nigeria by insurgent elements. Children and parents live very often in the same extremely small living space (less than 9m2), and in a high promiscuity compared to other families, all of which promote the risks related to the protection of children and gender-based violence. Children, their parents and other adults are always afraid of possible attacks, hence the importance of psychosocial support. The identification and recruitment of community relays to support protection activities is already underway by several partners. Educative talks and home visits on protection issues have begun, but still affect less than 20% of asylum seekers. Some baby kits have been distributed to breastfeeding mothers as well as the referencing of some cases of protection requiring a particular follow-up. Psychosocial support has started as well as the functioning of a psychological clinic set up for conditions such as acute stress, epilepsy, etc. and child-friendly spaces started their activities. Thus, we can note the beginning of many activities in the field of protection, but they still affect, for the most part, only less than 30% of the populations of the site according to the daily meetings of evaluation of the response on the site. Education Among children from asylum-seeking families, some were in school before moving to Cameroon, others not. In Goura, there is a school with 2 classrooms. Only one classroom is functional with only one teacher. Children from asylum-seeking families have left behind their school materials and none are yet enrolled in the local school which is Francophone (note that asylum seekers are English-speaking). Most of Goura's parents say they do not have the financial means to send their children to school, even if a school is available for them. The only school present on the site does not have a functional latrine or drinking water point, very few didactic materials (notebooks, textbooks ...), insufficient table-benches, only one teacher.

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Plan International is currently thinking about a strategy to meet this need. Health It is already identified on the site, in addition to cases of malnutrition, cases of malaria, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, pneumopathies, Rhinobronchitis, asthma, acute respiratory infections, infections with ENT (angina and otitis), hydrocephalus, anemia and mental illness.

Women and children have been identified as the most affected by these diseases.

The Ministry of Health has planned the launch of a vaccination campaign for Polio (OPV), Measles and Rubella (RR).

Several pregnant women have been identified, some have given birth on site and are currently being followed up by health staff with postpartum kit support.

Patients requiring more special care are currently referred to the Makary Health District Hospital or the Bodo, Afade and Biamo Health Centers; because there is no health center in Goura. With the support of humanitarian organizations, a mobile health unit is now functional with low capacity and care compared to needs. Educational talks have also begun on the site, including hygiene and the need to get closer to health staff in case of illness. A delivery room is being developed on the site.

Nutrition: Many cases of malnutrition (moderate and severe) have been observed, especially in children. The site of Goura is quite dry, which makes agriculture very rare. There is no shop. Small food stalls were spontaneously created by asylum seekers and some host populations, but in addition to the very limited availability of food, there has been a systematic increase in the prices of the few foodstuffs available. It is also noted that during their move from Nigeria to Cameroon, many pastoralists reported being robbed of their herds by insurgent elements (over 1,000 heads of cattle), which has increased their economic and nutritional fragility. A nutrition screening is currently underway to better assess needs and respond more effectively. The first cases of malnutrition identified are supported. NFI: Most asylum seekers have moved without the minimum necessity for their survival, hygiene and cooking. Asylum seekers mostly sleep on the ground, in shelters of fortunes built with some branches and covered with some loincloths. The distributions of the first NFI Kits are already in progress, including mats, blankets, mosquito nets and tarpaulins. Priority is first given to households identified as the most vulnerable. The Shelter-NFI Cluster is currently working on the harmonization of NFI Kit distributions. Livelihood: Asylum-seeking families have left behind most (or even all) of their livelihoods (livestock, fishing, trade, crafts, etc.). They declare themselves fragile, disrupted by idleness and unable to meet most of their needs, even the most basic, such as food, drinking or decent clothing. Families who brought with them animals such as cattle or sheep and goats, mention the scarcity of pasture for the nutrition. While some families on the site have started small survival activities (especially petty trading), most of them are totally dependent on humanitarian aid. It is currently envisaged the construction of two boreholes for animal and human use, as well as the treatment of small ruminants evaluated (according to the report of inter-sectoral meetings) to more than 10,000 (deworming, vitamins and anti-stress).

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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene : Water: The need of water for drinking, cooking, cleaning of dishes and body washing and laundry is high. Regarding the supply of drinking water, the quantity of available water is 191m3, a ratio of 5 l / d / p or a gap of 11l / d / d to reach the standard of 20l / p / d defined by the UNHCR and partners. Current efforts to provide an answer (water distribution, rehabilitation of a borehole at the neighboring locality: djarmous, etc.) remain insufficient. The possibilities for drilling development are still subjected to the clarifications expected from the Government on the future of the site; but it is envisaged (by IRC) the construction of 2 boreholes in Medina and Bodo, localities near Goura. Sanitation and Hygiene: There are no latrines on the site and the defecations are done in the open air. Humanitarian organizations have made defecation trenches in order to quickly respond to hygiene issues related to defecation in the air. More than 100 defecation trench doors have been completed but the utilization ratio is still very high; about 180 people / door. The distribution of hygiene kits is planned. Sensitization is currently ongoing on good hygiene practices.

4.3 Specific needs of children. Children are very vulnerable on the site, especially regarding protection, nutrition and health. Coordinated mechanisms in this regard are gradually taking place, taking into account the holistic approach of the needs expressed. The educational response must also quickly be put in place, to resolve among other things the abandonment of some children left to themselves on the site, a situation that increases the risks related to protection.

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5. Risks

In general, the risks of protection, health and physical safety are the most important, due to the insufficient quantity of drinking water, the promiscuity, the precarious shelter, the arid climate (end of the harmattan period), ambient dust, poor hygiene, proximity to the Nigerian border, limited livelihoods, etc. Children and girls are particularly at risk of violence, sexual abuse, exploitation and neglect. The mitigation of these risks will take place through appropriate programs in the areas of health, nutrition, water, hygiene and sanitation, education, and programs in the field of protection (CPIE and VBG).

6. Projected Trend

Beyond the current efforts to meet the immediate and urgent needs observed, it should be noted that the humanitarian organizations present on the Goura site are improving the quality and quantity of their support from day to day. Likewise, in order to respond in the immediate and long term needs of asylum seekers, lobbies are initiated for a stronger and diversified involvement of the actors. The resource mobilization process for substantial medium- and long-term support is also currently underway within the organizations involved in the site, as reported in the daily reports of the coordination meetings.

7. Response Capacity of national and local authorities and civil society actors

The very high number of asylum seekers from Goura is a real challenge for all actors, especially the local humanitarian organizations and the Cameroonian Government. Efforts are made to mobilize national and international resources to respond effectively and durably to the crisis. The results of these constant efforts are gradually being observed and the coordination of the response is being refined over the days for greater effectiveness and efficiency, integrating all available resources. There are some very voluntary local civil society organizations and NGOs, present in the Logone and Chari department, but with very limited operational and financial capacity, which greatly reduces their effectiveness on the ground and makes them highly dependent on international NGOs. The administrative authorities are present, as well as the deconcentrated technical services, but do not have resources dedicated to assisting displaced persons; however, they are available to provide all the necessary technical support.

8. International response capacity within the country

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Who? Types of interventions

Structures present in the site

Plan International Protection, Education, WASH, Nutrition

PAM Nutrition, Food security, IGA

FAO Food security, IGA

INTERSOS Protection, Education, WaSH, Nutrition, Health

PUI Protection, Education, WaSH, Nutrition, Health

ACF Nutrition, Health, WaSH

SAHELI Food Security

IRC Protection, WaSH

Solidarité Protection, WaSH

MSF Health, Nutrition

UNHCR Protection, Education, WASH, Health

UNICEF Protection, Education, WASH, Health

Others potential structures

OMS Health

SADEP Health, protection

ACEEN WaSH

PC Shelter and NFIs

ALDEPA Protection

9. Humanitarian Access

The humanitarian agencies present have the necessary expertise and logistics. The pressing needs are essentially financial. Plan International for its response will rely on the humanitarian team already present in the Far North region and will be able to recruit an additional team to support the current team, particularly community leaders and relays. Despite the difficult security environment, humanitarian actors have access at all times to the site, surrounding localities and displaced populations.

10. Humanitarian Country Team’s strategic Priorities

Protection (CPiE, GBV)

Education

Nutrition

WASH

Livelihood

Shelter.

11. Analysis and recommendation on what needs and gaps Plan should respond to.

Given the current expertise of Plan International Cameroon and the projects currently being carried out in the Far North region and particularly in Logone and Chari, the focus of Plan's response can be on the following points:

Protection (CPiE and GBV): situational analysis, sensitization, case management, alternative care, establishment and strengthening of community mechanisms, psycho-social monitoring, child-friendly spaces, etc. ;

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Supply of dignity kits;

Provision of NFIs (hygiène kits, dignity kit, shelter kits);

WASH;

Education (situational analysis, education kit, creation and animation of temporary educational spaces, etc.).

This support must be considered in the short term as well as in the medium and long term in order to produce a viable change.

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List specific unmet needs. Some of the cross cutting issues need to be listed in all places where it is applicable (e.g. psychosocial care and support needs to figure under health, education, child protection and other interventions).

Needs Place

Family/ sanitary kits and other immediate needs

Dignity kits

Mats

Tarpaulins or shelters

Kitchen kit

Hygiene kit

GOURA

Education

School kits

Educational space

Community awareness.

GOURA

Child protection

Psycho-social support

Sensitization

Child friendly spaces,

Community based mechanisms for prevention and care

Family Reunification Mechanism

Support to vigilance committees

Birth certificates for new-borns

Documentation of asylum seekers.

GOURA

Water and Sanitation

Defecation trenches,

Gender sensitive latrines,

Boreholes,

Packs of water.

Bleach / Bicarbonate,

Buckets,

Brooms, rakes, ...

Soap,

Cans,

Garbage bins

GOURA

Public Health

Mobile health centres equipped,

Drugs,

Vehicles,

Muffler,

Health staff.

GOURA

Food Assistance and Nutrition (specify food distribution, cash programming, livelihood)

Rice, cooking oil, millet, beans, salt, sugar, fish, tomato, milk.

Financial support for AGR, livestock, small starts, agriculture

GOURA

Other (such as temporary/ permanent shelter )

Covers,

Hygiene kits,

Kitchen kits

Clothes,

Insect screens

Mats / Mattresses

GOURA

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Temporary shelters,

Tarpaulins,