AfDB and WFP support families affected by flooding in Cameroon's Far North
“The African Development Bank is steadfast in its commitment to supporting Cameroon’s flood response efforts,” said Serge N’Guessan, African Development Bank Director General for Central Africa Region. “By partnering with the Government and WFP, we ensure that those affected by the floods receive the assistance they need while also setting the stage for long-term recovery.
Between July and October 2024, devastating floods caused by heavy rains affected over 450,000 people, destroying over 85,000 hectares of farmland and many homes. Over 5,000 livestock also died, the majority in Diamare, Mayo-Danay, Mayo-Kani, Mayo-Tsanaga and Logone-et-Chari divisions. This climate shock exacerbates food insecurity in a region already in the grips of a dire humanitarian situation due to ongoing conflict, population displacements, and rising food prices. Since July 2024, high food prices have soared by 20–30%, leaving many families in rural areas unable to meet their food and nutrition needs.
With the AfDB funding, WFP in close collaboration with the Government of Cameroon is providing general food distributions comprised of cereals, vegetable oil and salt to the most affected families enabling them to meet their immediate food and nutrition needs for one month. WFP will also distribute fortified cereal to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 6 to 59 months to address acute malnutrition.
"The devastating floods in Cameroon’s Far North Region are a stark reminder of how the impacts of climate change are worsening, sparing no one and calling for a coordinated action,” said Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development. “With support from partners like AfDB, WFP, and other development Partners, we are addressing immediate food needs while paving the way for a resilient recovery. The Government of Cameroon is committed to ensure assistance reaches those in need and prioritizing anticipatory actions to better prepare for future crisis."
The Far North region of Cameroon is characterized by high rates of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), reaching 2.9%, exceeding the World Health Organisation emergency threshold of 2%. Chronic malnutrition also remains a concern in the region, with an alarming rate of 49.2% among internally displaced people.
“WFP is committed to supporting families affected by floods and the growing food insecurity in Cameroon’s Far North Region,” said Gianluca Ferrera, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Cameroon. “With AfDB’s contribution, many will be reached with lifesaving assistance; however, the scale of the crisis demands more than emergency response”.
To ensure continued lifesaving assistance to crisis-affected people in Cameroon through July 2025, WFP requires US$ 48.7 million.
# # #
About WFP:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @WFP_Cameroon
About AfDB:
The African Development Bank (AfDB), a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to promoting economic development and social progress in Africa, is a long-term partner of its member states, providing unwavering assistance during and aftermath emergencies. Its objectives align with WFP's goals in Cameroon, focusing on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainable development.