Thread by @cwjroberts

Live / on now: webtv.un.org UNSC informal meeting on #Cameroon.

Focus seems to be entirely on the humanitarian conflict: 30% more Cameroonians needing humanitarian assistance than last year. Three regions: East/CAR border area, Far North, SW/NW (this was one of the fastest displacement crises in Africa: up to 1.3 million directly affected).

Mark Lowcock. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief makes the opening remarks after opening of session by US.

Many locally engaged humanitarian workers kidnapped. Need more protections for workers and more highly skilled.
2018 Cameroon UN Emergency Response Plan - Was a small plan, but least well funded. 2019 - Now looking for $300 million (only rec'd $38 million).

Many INGOs will be forced to withdraw from different regions without additional funding and protections.

Have to get everyone together to dialogue to work on underlying causes of the crises. Need more money. Need everyone to respect IH, incl. protection of education and medical facilities. (Lowcock wraps up.)

Omam Njomo Esther, Executive Director of local SW NGO Reach Out rep addresses the meeting: reachoutcameroon.org/our-team/

Situation is increasingly desperate. Displacement has serious consequences on livelihoods and living conditions. Especially hard on women. Humanitarian response inadequate. Most medical facilities almost non-functional. Limited education access (15-20% of children in school).

Vaccinations down across region. The crisis is an incubator of human rights abuses. Ghost town days prevent people from seeking emergency medical procedures (e.g., pregnant women with complicated labour). Negative coping mechanisms becoming common.

Mistrust rampant against any outsiders across every community (which affects humanitarian relief). Relief efforts need to partner with effective and trusted national NGOs, and some of these require technical assistance to become more capable.

Urgent need for all parties to come together and start talking. First, UN and others need to step up humanitarian aid. Second, need more visits to the field (not just Buea and Bamenda). Third, more cooperation between international and local relief efforts/orgs.

Finally, needs to be pressure for a road map to peace.

Esther then speaks about being attacked personally three times over the last two years, including kids kidnapped. Clear call for "inclusive dialogue."

Rev Njokikang Paul Fru, Director, Caritas Bamenda providing a briefing about NW region situation including violence, infrastructure and property destruction.

In Bui Division alone, 1500 structures burned.

Not that many international actors are in the field in NW/SW regions, but there are a few that are mentioned.
Pro-independence fighters have made the region ungovernable. School and road closings, abductions, torture... discusses Nkwen School abductions and others.

Moves on to discuss health sector and medical facilities crisis. Three nurses killed going to or from work in uniform. Military have gone into facilities with firearms searching for separatists.

UN needs to put pressure on all for dialoque. Cease-fire and demilitarization of regions. Attention also needs to be put on those who are profiting from war.

Only about 20% of farmers have been able to plant so far this season. This will create a deeper food insecurity crisis than last year. "We are in pain, we are traumitized...one cannot speak freely." Urgency to create a road-map for peace.

Now up @NRC_Egeland by video link. Recounts his visit from three weeks ago. There has been no international mediation efforts and limited humanitarian relief. That's why this session is so important.

People felt abandoned by international community. Where were the African organizations and donor countries? Shocked by level of violence against civilians. NGOs can reach more people despite insecurity, but just need more money. Both gov't and armed groups say they will cooperate

Families are terrorized, both in SW/NW and Far North. They cannot return to their homes. Lack of early intervention ends up in larger, complex conflicts [WHAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR 12-18 months]

Countries with influence on Cameroon have to point out the war crimes and crimes against humanity. International community should provide security to schools and school children. Must depoliticize education. Both parties much show willingness to compromise.

Need to ramp up humanitarian response. "Massive funding injection...."
Int relief efforts need new money, not shifted from other crises. (Ends)

{Reminder: this is part of a long summary thread of UN SC informal discussions on #Cameroon's humanitarian crisis).
Domincan Republic co-host of meeting: overview, youth as peacebuilders, protection of civilians (incl. hospitals/schools), calls for African Union engagement.

Needs a principles-based humanitarian response. Finally, echo everyone's call to attract a higher level of attention to crisis. {Domincan Rep sitting beside Eq Guinea rep.) Next up: Germany "happy to co-sponsor"

@GermanyUN-Says personal stories from Cameroon sound similar to those from Rohyinga, South Sudanese, Yazidis. Germany spending 60m euros. But, have to look at ROOT CAUSES. Inclusive political dialogue, Cam gov't not doing enough. Those who commit crimes need to be held to account

@UKUN_NewYork up next (another co-sponsor) - Humanitarian access key. IHL must be respected. Sr UN officials need to be present in region. Bottom-line: those in need must be reached. About US$3.5 million provided by UK. "This is a man-made humanitarian crisis."

Political resolution required. Gov't of Cameroon has made a number of promises...welcome step, but greater implementation and inclusive dialogue, including release of political prisoners [first person to mention this]. Still have time to prevent this from becoming intractable.

Open the floor to other members: @egmissionun Eq Guinea - Speaking on behalf of African SC members. Inclusive dialogue needed. Under Chapter VIII of UNSC council (Regional Organizations), African groups should lead on international efforts. Shifts to talk about int crime and CAR.

Recognizes Cam gov't humanitarian plan, Nat Commission on DDR. Call on int community to support the "decisive efforts" being taken by Cam Gov't, improving data. Worried that humanitarian crisis could be politicized. This is not a threat to int peace and security. [No surprises]

Now, @BelgiumUN up - Cameroon humanitarian crises related to CAR, Boko Haram, Nigeria crises. But there is a HR crisis in Cameroon. Only an inclusive dialogue will solve the problem. Recognized PM Ngute's call for dialogue last week. As a federal state, Belguim can share its exp.

Humanitarian workers/orgs need full access according to IHL. Appropriate financing. Belgium has two questions: (1) Lack of independent data from UN: how to get better data? (2) How do briefers see the role of AU and CEEAC?

Now, Peru - Everyone should follow IHL and IHRL. Predictable, sustainable financing. Gov't of Cam needs to create climate for inclusive dialogue. Reference to @mbachelet visit (short remarks)

Poland @PLinUN - Open and inclusive dialogue. Recognize strategic role of regional organizations, including AU. Full humanitarian access including HR monitors. Urge everyone to follow IHL/IHRL. No peace without justice. (short)

France up: 3 areas of action: 1) protection of civilians (including health personnel), impartial investigations on crimes; 2) guarantee humanitarian access across country; 3) Stabilization efforts (??) - call for continued fight against Boko Haram, supports gov't efforts dialogue

Kuwait up - Overview... believe in preventive diplomacy and inclusive dialogue.

Indonesia up - Three points: Humanitarian response needs to be expanded, coop with Gov't of Cam and inclusive dialogue, and role of regional organizations. Poses a question: What is the current relationship between UN and regional organizations on Cameroon?

China - Against UNSC intervening on this issue, an internal issue. [What is this 1971?]. China supports Cameroon's territorial independence and unity, and works with gov't to enhance development (short but clear remarks)

Russia - Negotiating table important. What benefits does this informal meeting have for the humanitarian efforts, might make them worse. This crisis should not be politicized, but there needs to be a inclusive dialogue.

Now, CAMEROON (invited as per regular UN SC procedures) - This meeting does not enjoy the support of Cameroon. African countries have also suggested this. "Malevalent exploitation" of this informal meeting: points out fake news already reported about a UN SC resolution ...

[fake news pointed out by @cwjroberts earlier today...] Other avenues within UN more appropriate. How might prevention not be intervention? Some countries trying to besmirch Cameroon ... mentions the marchers on 47th Street (NYC). Complains about May 20th opponents.

Others looking for markets for their NGOs, inflating humanitarian figures. "Cameroon is on its feet, standing tall, targeting emergence in 2035." Rivalries of power are exploding across the world. Cameroon is an open country, recently received many high level delegations.

Francophonie delegation expected, EU delegation invited.... Swtiched to (halting) English. Three fronts: Far North, separatists in NW/SW, and (unclear) internal efforts to destabilize the govt [?reference to Kamto, etc.?]. Details of gov't emergency relief plan...TMI, way TMI.

I guess #Cameroon gets unlimited time to read out elements of the actual emergency relief plan? This is getting ridiculous.
Ok, now thanks all partners, wants increased financial support. Need support to block financing for terrorism and separatism.

Govt is "fully aware" of the cause of this situation. Pushing ahead decentralization plan. [back to French] Cameroon wants relief groups to tell gov't what they are doing so they can guarantee security. Violence data about Boko Haram/separatists. PM had a great reception in NW/SW

Many realizing they have been misled, rallying around the peace process. Concludes, mentioning that Foreign Affairs minister has issued a communique that he has shared with all members. Last to speak, EU rep.

EU Rep: Concerned about rapid deteriorization of humanitarian crises. Focus mostly on humanitarian response, access, funds, etc. Mentions persons with disabilities are extra hard hit. EU: 20 million euros.

Back to OCHA Lowcock to answer some questions: more money needed. He met with @mbachelet last week, supports her conclusions. More money should improve data. Document evidence of attacks on hospitals and schools. Work closely with other UN agencies. Sees dialogue as key. (ends)

Short closing remarks from @USUN - no significant American additions to the discussions: more money, more access, more protection for civilisans/education/medical facilities, dialogue. [END THREAD}

@ThreadReaderApp unroll