Gov’t engages partners to promote food security for refugees, vulnerable groups.

Held as part of the ninth edition of the National Solidarity and Social Entrepreneurship Week, SESES, it focused on consultation and advocacy regarding the financing of social protection of refugees and other vulnerable groups in Cameroon.

The aim was to secure funding for social protection in Cameroon, with a particular focus on supporting food security for socially vulnerable groups.

Minister Pauline Irene Nguene, who presided over the meeting, revealed that food insecurity is “no longer a risk” but a “reality” in Cameroon.

She mentioned that in line with the 2030 agenda, they aim to reduce the risk of poverty in Cameroon and to prevent food insecurity.

She regretted that climate shocks in certain regions have disturbed the seasonal cycle of crops, and pushed families towards hunger and malnutrition.

“…a significant section of the population is facing acute food insecurity and must employ resilience strategies to survive in a situation that has deteriorated following the drastic reduction in official development assistance and the closure of certain social programmes,” she said. 

It should be recalled that more than 78% of households are facing food insecurity. Also, it was revealed that 2.9 million people in the six crisis affected regions are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. 

Proposes panacea to crisis

To achieve sustainable food security for vulnerable social groups, MINAS, in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, proposed the establishment of social cooperatives, for which a provisional allocation has been included in the 2026 budget.

According to the Director of National Solidarity and Social Development at MINAS, Makita George Edmond, this involves the construction and equipping of ‘National Solidarity Granaries’ in the country’s 58 divisions.

Makita said the 20 million FCFA initiative will be tasked with organizing the collection and redistribution of food to the needy in the municipalities, through social centres.

The minister promised that “we believe we will do everything in our power to ensure the project comes to fruition”. Minister Irene Nguene also called for coordination and “need a real synergy of actions so that we are effective”.

Gov’t lauds UNHCR

Minister Irene Nguene seized the occasion to laud the valuable support of the UNHCR. She said thanks to a partnership with the UNHCR, they are keen on ensuring that refugees and displaced people have better social protection services adapted to their situation and to promote their access to decent living conditions.

“…We are therefore resolutely engaged in a structured partnership that provides concrete answers to the challenges of individuals and groups in distress and precarious situations,” the minister said.  

UNHCR recommits to support gov’t

The representative of the UNHCR Cameroon, Yvette Muhimpundu, underscored the importance of the discussions.

She noted that it was a significant step towards improving the social protection for the most vulnerable people, including refugees, host communities, and the internally displaced persons.

She said the discussions enabled stakeholders to examine the main challenges, identified the persons who are at high risk and suggest practical solutions to address the issue and promote social protection.

Muhimpundu also commended the leadership of the government which is hosting more than 400,000 refugees living mostly in the east and also in the far north.

She said the UNHCR is resolutely committed in helping the government, through the National Solidarity Grenaries project to improve social protection.

Muhimpundu also appealed to other partners to support this initiative to make certain that refugees and other vulnerable groups live better.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3836 of Friday July 03, 2026