Refugees in Cameroon

As of 31 August 2020, Cameroon hosted a total refugee population of approximately 421,700.[1] Of these, 280,500 were from the Central African Republic, driven by war and insecurity. In the Far North Region, Cameroon hosts 114,300 Nigerian refugees, with the population sharing their already scarce resources with the refugees.

In comparison, in 2017, Cameroon hosted a total population of refugees and asylum seekers of approximately 97,400. Of these, 49,300 were from the Central African Republic ,[2] 41,600 from Chad, and 2,900 from Nigeria.[3] Kidnappings of Cameroonian citizens by Central African bandits have increased since 2005.[4] The increase is explained by the worsening situation in both neighbouring countries that result in further displacement.

Between 2004 and 2013, 92,000 refugees from the Central African Republic fled to Cameroon "to escape rebel groups and bandits in the north of their country."[5]

In 2014, Cameroon had an estimated 44,000 refugees from Nigeria. Internal Cameroonian refugees also began to leave areas bordering Nigeria to escape Boko Haram violence, especially following the December 2014 Cameroon clashes.

  1. ^ "UNHCR Cameroon - Statistics - August 2020".
  2. ^ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (28 May 2007). "Cameroon: Population Movement; DREF Bulletin no. MDRCM004". ReliefWeb. Accessed 18 June 2007.
  3. ^ "World Refugee Survey 2008". U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008.
  4. ^ Musa, Tansa (27 June 2007). "Gunmen kill one, kidnap 22 in Cameroon near CAR". Reuters. Accessed 27 June 2007.
  5. ^ "CAR refugees attacked as they flee to Cameroon". USA for UNHCR. Retrieved 2014-06-11.