UNHCR praises Cameroon’s inclusive approach to displacement, highlighting the introduction of a national framework for issuing identity documents to over 1.4 million displaced individuals. This effort provides access to essential services and facilitates integration. Despite progress, sustained international support and funding are needed to ensure long-term success for refugees and IDPs.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) commends the Government of Cameroon for implementing a national framework that issues identity documents, including biometric cards, to assist over 1.4 million forcibly displaced persons in the country. This initiative enables displaced individuals, comprising nearly one million internally displaced persons and 430,000 refugees, to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment, fostering their integration and stability.
In February 2025, Cameroon launched this framework, working alongside UNHCR to ensure all refugees receive recognition and inclusion in society. Yvette Muhimpundu, the UNHCR Representative in Cameroon, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating that the initiative aligns with the principles of the Global Compact on Refugees, ensuring access to vital identification documentation for refugees.
The government has enhanced refugee inclusion through various initiatives, including a biometric identification program that has legalized identification for 25,000 refugees, thereby improving their access to essential services. Cases like that of Shelley Teckombi, a 36-year-old woman who lived in Cameroon without documentation for seven years, highlight the significance of the biometric ID, which enables her to access education, jobs, healthcare, and means to travel without fear of arrest.
Despite notable advancements, Cameroon’s ongoing efforts to integrate forcibly displaced populations remain vulnerable without sustained international support. Continued funding is crucial to close the financial gap necessary for the success of these initiatives, ensuring that both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) receive vital services for their integration.
As global displacement continues to rise, a coordinated international response is imperative. The UNHCR’s efforts to provide lasting solutions for forcibly displaced individuals rely on the commitment of host governments, coupled with increased global support to assist those heavily affected by these challenges.
In conclusion, the Cameroonian government’s efforts to facilitate the integration of over 1.4 million displaced persons through the issuance of identity documents have been noted and praised by UNHCR. However, the initiative’s success hinges on ongoing international support and funding, which are critical to ensuring that refugees receive the necessary services to achieve self-reliance and stable futures. Increased collaboration and commitment from the international community are essential as global displacement rates soar.
Original Source: www.unhcr.org
