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Joint Multi-Sector Rapid Needs Assessment: Obanliku, Etung, Ikom, Boki, Akamkpa LGAs Cross River State, Nigeria; 14 – 18 February 2018, Final Assessment Report

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Nigeria
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FAO
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Background & Context:

As the crisis in Cameroon’s South-West and North-West Anglophone Regions continues, with the government in Yaoundé intensifying its actions against the pro-independent movement, the number of people crossing the border into neighbouring Nigeria is increasing. Critics have accused government forces of killing dozens of civilians, while the administration is also alleging that suspected separatists have killed more than 10 security personnel since the crisis intensified following the unilateral declaration of independence on October 1, 2017. Prior to this, there were protests in 2016 with English-speaking Cameroon calling for more autonomy from the majority French speaking regions. The protesters had accused the government of imposing the French language in schools and courts; and subjecting them to economic marginalisation including in allocation of resources.

More Cameroonians are arriving through Cross River, Akwa Ikom, Benue and Taraba States. Asylum seekers crossing over continue to use informal entry points because official borders between Cameroon and Nigeria remain closed in the above-mentioned states. The receiving communities are mostly located in Calabar, Obanliku, Ikom, Etung, Boki and Akampka Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Cross River State and in the Abande and Imande Agabtse communities in Benue State. The asylum seekers are mainly coming from Akwaya, Otu, Eyumojock, Nsan, Dadi & Bodam in Cameroon’s South-West Anglophone region. The situation remains generally disturbing, as the crisis in Cameroon continues, and the government adopts extra security measures, more asylum seekers are expected to arrive.

Emergency preparedness and response capacity needs to be strengthened in anticipation of a larger population influx.

Purpose & Objectives:

Thus, to be able to properly respond to the different needs, various actors involved in and concerned about the situation decided, during a coordination meeting on 19 January 2018 in Calabar, to undertake a Joint Multi-Sector Rapid Needs Assessment.

The objective of the assessment mission was to allow for UN agencies led by UNHCR, international and national NGOs as well as national and state institutions to have a clear picture of the situation on the ground to better inform proper planning, budgeting, resource mobilization and, of course, intervention