CRS in Cameroon

CRS Work in Cameroon

Catholic Relief Services Cameroon has pioneered innovative projects to tackle the root causes—rather than the symptoms—of injustice and poor governance and to improve the lives of Cameroonian citizens. We work to make sure people's voices are represented in their government, basic human rights are respected, community health care is available to the most vulnerable, and the effects of HIV and AIDS are minimized.

CRS' goal is to foster a society that promotes human dignity for Cameroonians and those living within the country. Our programs are carried out through partners—church institutions and local civic organizations—in the following areas:

Democracy and Governance

CRS Cameroon supports partners who are committed to fighting for the rights of citizens to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, and working to make governing institutions transparent and accountable. CRS has supported several projects in this area, including:

In 2004, CRS also established an innovative project to fight corruption through youth outreach in schools. The Fighting Against Corruption Through Schools project introduced a community-based, holistic approach to changing attitudes and behaviors regarding corruption among schoolchildren, teachers and community members. Reaching out to over 209 schools under the National Secretariat for Catholic Education, this unique project has been recognized by the Vatican for offering a positive vision in the fight against corruption in Cameroon. Preparation for a second phase of the program that will incorporate Protestant, Islamic and secular private educational systems is now under way.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Violent political conflicts in Central African Republic and Chad have caused thousands of refugees to flee to the safety of Cameroon, settling throughout the eastern part of the country. CRS, in coordination with Caritas Cameroon and local church partners, responded to these crises by improving the conditions at churches where Chadian refugees were temporarily housed. We also helped refugees settle into the Maltam II campsite set up by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

CRS collaborates with these and other international partners to analyze the needs of—and provide assistance for child protection and sustainable livelihoods for—the estimated 45,000 Central African refugees who have been arriving in Cameroon since 2005.

HIV, AIDS and Health

Access to basic health care is a significant obstacle for many Cameroonians. In 2006, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve access to quality health care, CRS, Cordaid and the Catholic Diocese of Batouri started a new approach to financing health services. Furthermore, to strengthen local partners working to improve community health in the East province of Cameroon, CRS provides organizational resources while progressively transferring responsibility to the partners.

Limited access to health care is compounded by HIV, increasing people'’s vulnerability at all levels. CRS Cameroon assists community-based partners who provide support to people affected by HIV in 3 of the 10 provinces of the country. In response to the HIV epidemic in Cameroon, since 2003 CRS has worked with partners including the Raskob Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Together, we have worked to strengthen support services to people affected by HIV, reduce stigma and discrimination, and teach life skills to orphans and vulnerable children.

Community Forestry

Despite being the richest in natural resources, the East province of Cameroon is the poorest in terms of human development. Since February 2006, CRS Cameroon has provided technical assistance to forest communities to take advantage of their country's vast natural resources through community forestry projects. The project helps citizens improve their quality of life by managing, harvesting and selling valuable forest products such as wood, bark, leaves and seeds.