200 000 people homeless after severe floods hit Far North, Cameroon

About 200 000 people remain homeless as of September 10, 2020, after severe floods struck the Far North Region of Cameroon. At least five fatalities have been reported, livestock and crops have been affected, and thousands of houses have been damaged or destroyed.

Flood victim Souley Amadou told Koaci that the affected people have no shelter and sleep outside on the ground, asking the government to come to their aid.

Another victim said they have nothing left to eat, and children were suffering the most. Some locals had to build their own makeshift camps.

"We're losing people, animals, onions, grain, the chickens, everything. The floods just take everything. We are left with nothing here in Merem."

Flooding has swept away livestock and damaged plantations. An embankment along the Logone River has also been washed away. Many bridges have collapsed, isolating some residents.

Around 200 000 people have been left homeless as floods destroyed thousands of houses. Electricity has also been disrupted for days.

"Today, we ask the public authorities to help the population of Merem, which is underwater and flooded. We even have displaced people, some of them have been resettled in Youma, Congeleo, Wideo, even in Kairoum," local Issa Nassifou appealed.

Further heavy rains are expected in Cameroon this week.

Julie Celestial

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