The Government of Cameroon has begun the distribution of food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North West Region, as part of its end-of-year humanitarian support to vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing crisis.
The three-day exercise, which started on Monday, December 29, 2025, is taking place at the esplanade of the Government Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Plan (IHAP) regional office at Upstation, Bamenda.
The initiative is carried out on the instructions of President Paul Biya, through the Ministry of Territorial Administration, and coordinated in the North West Region by the Regional Coordinator of IHAP, Nchofon Mingoh.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, said the gesture was meant to enable displaced families to celebrate the festive season with dignity.
“We are here today to celebrate with the Internally Displaced Persons this end-of-year festivity. It is a gift given by the Head of State to IDPs here in Bamenda in particular and in Mezam in general,” he stated.
“The Head of State thought that they should celebrate the end-of-year festivities with their families by taking some foodstuffs that would keep their families happy. The distribution will continue on Tuesday, December 30, and Wednesday, December 31, till the end of the week so that they should be comfortable.”
The Regional Coordinator of IHAP for the North West Region, Nchofon Mingoh, explained that the activity is an annual exercise aimed at assisting displaced and vulnerable persons across the region.
“This is what we do every end of year. It is a gift from the Head of State to internally displaced persons living in the Mezam Division and across the entire region,” Mingoh said.
“It is an act of generosity, communalism, and solidarity through the Minister of Territorial Administration, at the instruction of the Head of State.”
According to Mingoh, the initial plan was to assist about 600 IDPs and vulnerable persons. However, turnout exceeded expectations.
“We previewed this distribution for 600 people, but we discovered that the number of people who turned out is more than expected. As of now, we have already used about 45 additional bags of rice. By the end of the day, we may reach about 700 people, and by the end of the three days, we might reach out to about 2,000 people,” he noted.
Each household received a 50-kilogram bag of rice, three cubes of soap, three tins of sardines, detergent (Omo), bucket and vegetable oil.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government, describing the assistance as timely relief during a period marked by economic hardship, festivities, and the upcoming school resumption.
One beneficiary, who pleaded anonymity, said the support would significantly ease the burden on her household. “Considering the hard times, the festive period, and back-to-school at the corner, these items will help my family and me a lot. I have more than ten internally displaced children in my house, including my own five children. This is a big stress relief,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Fonyuy Pascal, said he was overwhelmed by the gesture. “When I heard that the government decided to support IDPs, I was very happy. Even though the line was long, we succeeded in getting ours. Looking at the items, one would really feel happy. It will help a lot, especially for those of us staying around Bamenda,” he said.
Tabufor, also an IDP, described the assistance as a source of hope. “Since the coming of the crisis, we have been facing difficult and hard times. This will help my family enjoy the festive period, and by the opening of school, I hope the children will also enjoy,” he said.
Authorities say the exercise will continue for three days, to reach a broad cross-section of internally displaced and vulnerable persons across the North West Region, reaffirming the government’s commitment to social solidarity and humanitarian assistance.
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