Ambazonia War:

SW Region Receives 1st Consignment of Relief Aid

First batch of the Humanitarian aid destined to victims of the Anglophone crisis arrived at the 

SW Governor's Office on 24 July 2018

The first batch of humanitarian aid to internally displaced victims of the ongoing Anglophone crisis has on Tuesday, 24 July 2018, arrived the South West region.

By Boris Esono in Buea

Receiving the goods that comprised beds, mattresses, blankets, sugar, rice, toilet and washing soap, cutlasses, hoes, canned foods and fertilizers etc, SW Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai called on all those who are still in the bushes to come out and benefit from the relief assistance. He said people cannot be served while they are still in the bushes.

            The Governor assured that the security forces are on standby to give the displaced persons the protection they need.

            “The security forces are there to ensure that peace and security is guaranteed in the region. All those who have fled from their villages should come back and receive the assistance from government. They cannot receive those goods when they are still in the bushes,” Okalia Bilai said, adding that the rest of the population is there to welcome the returnees.

            The governor said that after this first consignment, the 2nd consignment will include materials that would be used to rebuild the villages and property that have been destroyed. 

            He said this first      set of relief aid has been made available to only three Divisions in the SWR namely; Fako, Ndian and Meme. The next consignment in the days ahead will go to the other Divisions notably Manyu and Lebialem. 

            The Governor indicated that committees have been put in place to ensure that the goods are distributed only to the rightful persons. The committee members include SDOs, DOs, Mayors, Chiefs as well as other stakeholders.

            The Governor called on the population to help the government in its efforts to put an end to the ongoing crisis that is marked by wanton destruction of property, killings and kidnappings for ransom.

            The goods were on 25 July 2018 handed to the SDOs of the divisions concerned. 

            The two English speaking regions of the country have since October 2016 been enveloped in a crisis that has led to hundreds of deaths of both civilians and security forces. It has also mass displacement of populations from the hot zones to safer localities.

            The head of state decreed an urgent humanitarian assistance for victims of the crisis. He earmarked the sum of 12.7billion FCFA as budget for the relief assistance project. Freewill contributions to raise the amount have been going on in Yaounde and in the regions.