UN High Commissioner for Refugees to visit Cameroon

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will conduct a three-day visit to Cameroon beginning on the 23^rd of March.   The visit of Commissioner Antonio Guterres is intended to attract the attention of the international community on the situation of refugees in Cameroon, following the violence experienced in the northern regions. The crisis created by the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram has caused an influx of Nigerian refugees since May 2013. The tense security situation at the border, including the incessant incursions of the militant group from Nigeria through Cameroon, exposes the refugee population to serious dangers such as violence, theft or targeted kidnappings. The East of Cameroon which hosts the largest number of Central African refugees has also been on constant threats from rebels group attempting to take over power in Bangui. The refugees according to a UNHCR report, are installed in at least 314 sites and villages scattered in the East and Adamawa regions.

High Commissioner Antonio Guterres has verbally express sympathy to the Nigerian refugees and internally displaced persons and profound gratitude to the Government and people of Cameroon for the hospitality and the solidarity shown to more than 200,000 refugees from Nigerian and the Central African Republic. UNHCR's program includes a visit to Minawao camp in the Far North which houses more than 33,000 Nigerian refugees, and a meeting with the Yaoundé authorities during which UNHCR will reiterate the commitment of the institution to support the Cameroon government to find solutions to the problems of refugees and internally displaced people.