Cameroonians seeking refuge in Nigeria as a result of the armed conflict in the North-West and South-West regions of that country are finding things extremely difficult, especially in this period of COVID-19.
In fact, it is said in some quarters that many of them may starve to death if nothing is done to help them.
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This is particularly so because donor agencies now pay more attention to the fight against coronavirus, leaving these men and women to their fate.
Many of them find it highly difficult to find what to eat, just to stay alive. Others also lack shelter. And these are the basic needs of life.
Notably, in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, the living conditions of these refugees are deplorable. Some of them have been living under the bridges and in the streets and struggling with harsh weather and insecurity.
Also, some of the apartments benevolent people helped rent for them for a period of one year would expire on July 14, 2020. The question now is: After the expiration, where will they go?
As a matter of fact, the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic worsened the situation as they were forced to stay indoors without any help.
Relying on the Nigerian or Cameroonian government for aid of any kind has also not been an option as their leaders were sometimes whisked away by the Cameroonian government, with the full knowledge of Nigerian authorities; hence it is difficult to go to them for aid of any kind.
And the refugees are afraid to go to their government for aid of any kind, so they are forced to stay where they are, against all odds.
At least 47 refugees were said to have been arrested and taken back to Cameroon and nothing was done to bring them back, so many of them are living in perpetual fear.
According to Ako Allen, who works with the refugees in Lagos, Abuja, Taraba and other parts of Nigeria, they are facing serious challenges.
Although they receive facemasks and hand sanitisers, that doesn’t cover their needs. Before COVID-19, it was so hard that most of them had to depend on menial jobs to survive, so one can imagine what happened during the period of lockdown.
As a result of the pandemic, donations to the refugees in terms of food have drastically reduced.
It is also worthy of note that as a result of the intensified fighting in Donga Mantung Division of Cameroon, Taraba State has recorded a hig influx of refugees.
Although there has not been any reported case of coronavirus among the refugees, the situation should not be downplayed, especially as there are no testing kits in their various camps.
It is also worrisome that preventive measures, such as physical distancing in the camps, has been an uphill task due to the huge number of the refugees and their poor living conditions.
Some of the refugees said that since the COVID-19 lockdown has been relaxed in Nigeria, they had no alternative than to fend for themselves with their skills and through menial jobs, although with limited opportunities.
They are also hoping that persons of goodwill would help them pick up the pieces of their lives.
In February, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said more Cameroonian refugees had fled to Nigeria, bringing the number close to 60.000.
The commission said some of them arrived in Nigeria with bullet wounds, adding that they were working with the Nigerian authorities to ensure they had access to shelter and basic services.
It is hoped that the international community, organisations and good-spirited individuals would come to the aid of these refugees, as well as intervene in the crisis in Cameroon.
Mbongo wrote from one of the refugee camps in Nigeria.
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