CAMEROON — Cameroon has been ranked as the world’s most neglected displacement crisis in 2024, according to a report released on June 5 by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The report cites a lack of international political will, insufficient media attention, and underfunding of humanitarian efforts as key reasons for the continued neglect of the crisis, which affects millions of internally displaced persons and refugees in the country.
Humanitarian Needs in Cameroon Remain High
According to the NRC, more than 2.3 million people in Cameroon need humanitarian assistance. This includes over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from neighboring countries. The crisis stems from multiple overlapping sources: ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions of the Northwest and Southwest, violence in the Far North linked to Boko Haram, and spillover from instability in the Central African Republic.
Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, stated that Cameroon’s humanitarian emergency is “a textbook example of neglect.” He emphasized that despite the scale of human suffering, international attention and donor support remain insufficient. In 2023, the humanitarian response plan for Cameroon was less than 45% funded, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Overlapping Crises Fuel Displacement
Cameroon’s internal crisis has developed over several years, primarily driven by the separatist conflict in its Anglophone regions. Since 2016, tensions between English-speaking communities and the predominantly French-speaking government have escalated into violent confrontations. Armed separatist groups and government security forces continue to clash, resulting in widespread displacement, disruption of services, and civilian casualties.
Simultaneously, the Far North region remains affected by attacks from non-state armed groups, including Boko Haram and its offshoots. These attacks have contributed to displacement and insecurity among local populations. In the eastern part of the country, Cameroon also hosts tens of thousands of refugees fleeing violence in the Central African Republic. Internal and cross-border crises have considerably strained Cameroon’s social and humanitarian infrastructure.
Lack of International Response and Media Coverage
The NRC’s annual report assesses displacement crises based on three main criteria: lack of political will to address the root causes, lack of media coverage, and lack of humanitarian funding. Cameroon topped all three categories in this year’s index. The organization reported that international media outlets provided minimal coverage of Cameroon’s crises throughout 2024, while major donor countries focused on other global emergencies.
According to NRC, Cameroon’s crisis has not been a priority for global political discussions or aid allocations. Humanitarian workers face access restrictions, security concerns, and limited resources to meet basic needs such as shelter, food, education, and health services. Many displaced persons live in remote or insecure areas where assistance is hard to deliver.
Broader Regional Implications
Cameroon’s situation reflects broader challenges faced by countries in Central and West Africa, where protracted displacement, limited development, and regional insecurity often intersect. As noted by the NRC, the lack of sustained international engagement contributes to long-term vulnerability among affected populations.
Other countries ranked in the NRC’s top 10 neglected crises include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and South Sudan. These rankings highlight situations where humanitarian needs persist without corresponding global support.
Call for Increased Attention and Funding
The NRC urges governments, donors, and international organizations to increase engagement with Cameroon’s crisis. The group recommends improved diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts, greater media reporting to raise awareness, and increased funding to address urgent needs. Egeland emphasized that while other crises dominate headlines, millions of Cameroonians continue to suffer without visibility or sufficient assistance.
In 2024, the NRC’s findings indicate that chronic neglect remains a serious barrier to resolving some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Cameroon’s case highlights how complex, multilayered crises — particularly in politically sensitive or lower-profile regions — can persist outside the spotlight.
The NRC’s report aims to remind the international community that visibility and action are essential not only in high-profile emergencies but also in those where silence prevails despite widespread need.
