THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MINAWAO REFUGEE CAMP IN CAMEROON (FROM 2013 – 2018)

By: Monjowa Lyonga Christiana | Department of Development Studies | Peace, Conflict and International Relations

ABSTRACT

Armed conflicts within and between States have caused the displacement of people globally, with many having to cross international borders in search of safety and livelihood. The Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon is host to over 55,000 refugees from Central African Republic and Nigeria. The influx of refugees in the camp, coupled with issues of survival that is linked to the inadequate provision of different humanitarian assistance such as food and nutrition, health care, security, water, sanitation and hygiene, which has resulted to the onset of malnutrition, disease and deaths, just to mention a few has left the refugees disgruntled. As such, beneficiary’s perception of, and satisfaction with the services provided by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Minawao Refugee Camp (MRC) in Cameroon was evaluated. Challenges faced by the UNHCR in the course of delivering humanitarian assistance in the Minawao Camp was equally assessed. Further, recommendations were provided on how to make the humanitarian response more effective and efficient. The population of the study comprised about 55,000 refugees with a sample size of 203. The study was largely descriptive, and with information obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Also, the study made use of both quantitative and qualitative data and the purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were analyzed descriptively with the use of Microsoft Excel 2013 and presented in frequency tables and charts. It was found out among other things that, UNHCR provided water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) products, shelter, food and non-food items (NFIs), protection, security, education, camp management and healthcare to the refugees. However, regarding the beneficiary’s perception and level of satisfaction, majority of respondents 61%, 49% and 47.5% expressed dissatisfaction with food and nutrition, WASH services and security services respectively. But the respondents were broadly satisfied with shelter and Non Food Items (NFIs) and education (46%, 46% and 65.5% respectively). The major challenges UNHCR faced were shortage of funds, inadequate land for expansion and the limited Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) for many refugees. Accordingly, higher budgetary allocation to the UNHCR for humanitarian assistance in Refugee Camps generally, and the MRC in particular cannot be overemphasized. Additional support from the host government, and the governments of refugee’s country of origin was recommended. At the same time, programmes that aim to provide secure livelihoods to the refugees should be strongly encouraged and supported, and the UNHCR needs to render its feedback and complaint mechanisms more inclusive and responsive to the peculiarities of the different refugee camps.

Key words: Refugee, refugee camp, UNHCR, humanitarian assistance, Minawao Refugee Camp.