At audience with MINAT boss: UNHCR hails Cameroon's hospitality to refugees.

The UNHCR Resident Representative in Cameroon, Yvette Muhimpundu, made the positive remarks in Yaounde on Friday, May 29, 2026.

This was during an audience granted her by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.

Both personalities used the audience to review the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Cameroon. 

Discussions also touched on assessing protection measures already in place as well as preparations for the voluntary repatriation of CAR refugees, who have expressed the desire to return home.

The UNHCR official said the audience presented the avenue to evaluate progress made and identify what still needs to be done, regarding the voluntary return of refugees from the Central African Republic.

Muhimpundu at the end of discussions with the MINAT boss, commended Cameroon’s role as a host country and acknowledged the efforts made by Yaounde in supporting and protecting refugees in Cameroon over a decade. 

“I would like, first of all, to express our gratitude to the government of Cameroon, for its leadership in protecting and finding solution for the refugees who are here for more than 10 years,” Muhimpundu said.

She added that the UNHCR is “greatly moved by the support and care that the government of Cameroon continues to provide to refugees, despite the challenges posed by reduced contributions from donors and development partners.”

The audience, Muhimpundu said, largely touched on plans to relaunch the voluntary repatriation process for CAR refugees. 

She explained that consultation meetings will soon be organised to facilitate the return of approximately 20,000 CAR refugees, who have indicated their willingness to return home.

During last Friday’s audience, both the visiting UNHCR Resident Representative and the MINAT boss also reviewed efforts aimed at improving the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers living in Cameroon.

They equally examined policies designed to strengthen protection and promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.

Cameroon, key host country

Per UNHCR, Cameroon remains one of Africa’s leading refugee-hosting countries. For decades, Cameroon has provided refuge to people fleeing conflict, insecurity and violence in neighbouring States, particularly CAR and Nigeria.

According to figures cited by UNHCR, Cameroon hosts over 288,000 refugees from CAR across the East, Adamawa and North Regions. 

The country also shelters refugees from Nigeria, in the Far North Region, while accommodating hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, affected by conflicts in other parts of the country.

UNHCR data indicates that by June 30, 2025, Cameroon had a displaced population of 2.1 million people, including 969,000 IDPs, 699,500 returnees and 431,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

The UN Refugee Agency notes that the country's humanitarian situation is shaped by several overlapping crises, including insecurity linked to non-State armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin, conflict in the North West and South West Regions, intercommunal tensions in the Far North Region, and the continued presence of refugees from neighbouring countries.

Funding constraints persist

Despite mounting humanitarian needs, international support for refugee operations in Cameroon has declined over the past three years. This is according to the UNHCR.

During discussions with the MINAT boss last Friday, issues of underfunding and its impact on refugee assistance were highlighted.

The UNHCR revealed that it requires significant resources to support displaced populations, under its Cameroon Multi-Country Office operations. 

The agency noted that funding shortfalls continue to widen the gap between growing humanitarian needs and available resources.

Notwithstanding the constraints, Yaounde has maintained assistance and protection for refugees living in Cameroon; efforts which were acknowledged by the UNHCR Resident Representative during the audience.

UNHCR pursues sustainable solutions

The UN agency disclosed that since 2019, it has facilitated the voluntary return of more than 18,600 CAR refugees, including about 3,500 during the first quarter of 2025.

The agency is committed to continue working with the government and humanitarian partners to provide protection and pursue durable solutions for displaced populations, including voluntary repatriation, local integration and support for internally displaced persons.

According to the UN agency, its current strategy for Cameroon seeks to strengthen government capacity in refugee management, improve protection systems, support socio-economic inclusion and expand cooperation with development actors, civil society organisations and the private sector.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3804 of Monday June 01, 2026