Douala: Gov’t issues, hands biometric identification cards to over 150 refugees.

The biometric cards which shall ease economic inclusion of the beneficiaries, were handed to them by officials of the Littoral Regional Delegation of National Security. This was during a ceremony UNHCR organised recently as part of commemorative activities to mark the 2023 World Refugee Day. The Day was commemorate under the theme: “Hope away from Home”. 

Speaking at the ceremony in Douala, the UN High Commissioner for refugees in Cameroon, Guillaume Olivier Beer, said over the last few years, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has witnessed an unprecedented rise, with over 103 million forced to flee their homes. 

Cameroon, he said, is not an exception and has, in recent years, faced a series of complex humanitarian crises. Moreover, political turmoil in the Central African Republic has resulted in over 350,000 people taking refuge in the East, Adamawa and North Regions of Cameroon. 

The Far North Region is affected by the displacement crisis in the Lake Chad Basin. The region is said to be hosting over 126,000 Nigerian refugees, with more than 350,000 internally displaced people, including those from the inter-communal conflict between farmers/fishermen and herders which occurred in December 2021 and floods in late 2022. 

In the North West and South West regions, clashes between state and non-state armed groups forced over 600,000 people to flee their homes and taken refuge elsewhere. 

He added that, for more than half a century, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has helped millions of people all over the world to restart their lives, including refugees, returnees, stateless people, internally displaced persons and asylum-seekers. 

UNHCR it was said helps with protection, shelter, health and education plays a significant role in healing the wounds of the past and building a better future.

But refugees continue to complain of inability to fully integrate the host communities due to lack of identification documents. The biometric cards issued, which is the first its kind in the Littoral Region, Beer noted, will serve as a protective tool to refugees.

“It is not easy for them to access education, open bank accounts, move from one town to another without identification cards. These cards shall be a protective instructions for them and it will also help in their economic inclusion,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Cameroon said.

The primary mission of the UNHCR Multi Country Office in Cameroon is to protect the human rights and well-being of people who have been forced to flee. They have worked hand in gloves with the Government of Cameroon, several partners and communities to improve the living conditions and find durable solutions to refugee problems

Some of them include the chance to learn and progress at school, earn a living, and live healthy lives. It should be noted that, Cameroon has a long history of hospitality to refugees. It serves as host to over 349,000 Central Africans in the East, North, and Adamawa Regions and over 127,000 Nigerian refugees in the Far North Region.

However, the UN officials say, after reaching safety in Cameroon, refugees mustn’t be left in limbo. They need more peace and lesser violence in their places of origin so that they can return home safely. They should be provided with more chances to resettle in a new country, more freedom and opportunities to thrive in the communities where they have found refuge. 

"Each of these solutions requires inclusion from the start. What do we mean by inclusion ?No matter how long they remain in exile, refugees want to carry on with their lives – by getting an education, providing for their families, forging friendships with neighbours. Actions like these gives them hope, and skills. Refugees want opportunities, not handouts. They wish to be self-reliant and are eager to use their talents and passions to contribute to their host communities," Beer said.