Cameroon and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation for the protection of refugees and displaced persons within Cameroonian territory. On March 5, 2026, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, received a UNHCR delegation led by Yvette Muhimpundu, UNHCR Resident Representative in Cameroon. This meeting marks a new step in the partnership between the Cameroonian government and the UN agency.
Discussions focused on the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Cameroon, as well as care and protection mechanisms implemented jointly with international partners. Paul Atanga Nji reiterated Cameroon's commitment to welcoming and protecting populations forced to flee their countries due to conflict and humanitarian crises, while praising UNHCR's support in managing refugee camps and assisting host communities.
The UNHCR delegation commended Cameroon's efforts on behalf of refugees, despite a complex security and humanitarian context. The organization reaffirmed its intention to strengthen its collaboration with Cameroonian authorities to improve the living conditions of refugees and promote sustainable solutions, including voluntary repatriation when security conditions permit. This hearing provided an opportunity to assess actions taken and explore new avenues for more effective management of humanitarian challenges related to population movements in the sub-region.
Beyond humanitarian assistance, Cameroon and UNHCR seek to transform the presence of refugees into an opportunity for economic growth and social cohesion. This involves promoting the integration of refugees into local economic life by valuing their skills and facilitating their access to the labor market. Cameroon hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Central Africa, with over 400,000 people, as well as nearly one million internally displaced persons.
UNHCR believes it is time to move beyond assistance alone and integrate these populations into a logic of development and production. According to Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, refugees need assistance, hope and development, and can bring their talents to the communities that host them.
