Internally displaced: the urgent need for educational assistance
The changing life of IDPs in Ngui Dschang sub division
Is it another encounter with the Internal Displaced persons in Dschang sub Division, menoua Division of the West region of Cameroon where Cameroon Debate Association (CDA), was at Ngui and its neighborhood for the identification and mapping of the needs of IDPs. It has been a passion for CDA to ensure that the IDPs in all the quarters in Dschang are identified and mapped to have a record of their needs.
This task was facilitated by the Community Mobiliser for PARADE-CDA where she moved from household to another to register these IDPs and carried out between the 24th 28th of October 2020, to get them registered for humanitarian intervention. Another essence is to have a record of their needs and habitation modalities, not living out education. It is worthy of note that the expectations of these questions were all met.
What they are indeed in need of now is no longer matrass and house utensils but rather pleaded that we intervene in the educational domain of these kids
It marveled me from the responses, which were different from the challenges of other quarters. I was made to understand that challenges differ as time changes. The IDP parents made me to know that what they are indeed in need of now is no longer matrass and house utensils but rather pleaded that we intervene in the educational domain of these kids, based on the fact, many kids end up not seating for their final year exams because of the lack of birth certificates. Another challenge was the housing facilities, the IDPs said, houses in Dschang are relatively expensive thus making life so difficult for an average citizen not forgetting feeding because it is often said a hungry man is an angry man.
This varies responses pave way for the identification of 103 households with an estimated number of 702 IDPs identified, who are expecting aid from CDA and other humanitarian organizations or donors. CDA is laying down all the strategies necessary to ensure that these IDPs receive maximum assistance or satisfaction especially in the domain of feeding, professional training and education. This shall be done through the establishment of birth certificates for those who are not in possession of one.
By doing this, we shall be fulfilling our vision of ʺDons de L´espoir aux deplacés internesʺ. These both students and pupils IDPs were so collaborative and optimistic, promised to put in their best efforts with an awareness that ʺknowledge is powerʺ thus minimizing violent communications and understanding human rights, peaceful advocacy, conflict management and resolution for a sustainable and a peaceful Cameroon.
Njijong, LL Mary Afangtenare
Community Development Officer
