2 minute read
2021 ShelterBox Deployments
DEPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHT
CAMEROON
Just 40 miles east of the Nigerian
border lies Minawao camp—a dusty,
sprawling refugee camp in the extreme north of Cameroon.
Originally designed to hold 15,000 individuals, it is officially home to more than 67,000 refugees.
Minawao has become a safe haven for Nigerian families escaping violent attacks from the extremist group Boko Haram. Arriving with only what they could carry, many have seen their homes torched and lost their loved ones.
ShelterBox has been working in Minawao since 2015 and is the sole provider of tents to the camp.
In 2021, working through partner IEDA Relief we continued supporting refugees and internally displaced people in Minawao Camp and beyond who had been forced from their homes due to violence, climatic changes, or economic pressures. Cameroon, conflict, 2021
PARTNER IEDA Relief
5,580 18K
FAMILIES SUPPORTED IN 2021 FAMILIES SUPPORTED TO DATE
Families received Shelter Kits and other items like solar lights, ground sheets, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits on their recovery journey. Due to the virus, we worked closely with our partner to ensure the health and safety of affected communities and staff by wearing face masks and gloves and using hand sanitizer.
With your continued support, we’ve provided shelter and essential aid to over 18,000 families in Cameroon to date.
CASH ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED
TO FAMILIES TO BUY MATERIALS AND HIRE LABORERS TO HELP WITH CONSTRUCTION.
Scan the QR code for Tchamaye’s story.
TCHAMAYE’S STORY
Tchamaye, 56, lives with his wife and five children in Cameroon. Like many other families in the area, they fled from armed terrorist attacks in the middle of the night, leaving their home and belongings behind.
“That night was very quiet; I was about to go to bed when I heard unusual screams and cries of terror. My heart leapt out of my chest and I realized that I had to get my family to safety. I shouted my wife’s name: Nguezaya! Take the children and run. Everyone was looking for an escape route but it was too late, the village was surrounded by our attackers. The terrorists were shooting like crazy. The unluckiest villagers received these bullets in the chest. My family and I ran into the dark forest, followed by others who also wanted to escape death. We walked without respite, tired, thirsty and hungry, but there was no question of stopping even for a second. With fear in our stomachs, we finally arrived in Northern Cameroon after many long hours of wandering in the bush.”
Once safely in Cameroon, Tchamaye received ShelterBox aid and cash assistance. Using the tools and tarps from his
