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| UNDP Resident Representative , Jean-Luc Stalon, signing MOU with beneficiary CSOs |
By Christopher Ambe
Douala, August 1-The United Nations
Development Programme(UNDP), with the support of Japanese government, yesterday
July 31 in Douala, granted about 180 million FCFA to 18 carefully selected
local civil society organizations(CSO’s)
to help effect ”Early Recovery and Social Cohesion” in the
crisis-stricken Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.
The 18 CSO’s ,which are
all based in the aforementioned regions, were given the financial assistance at
Hotel La Falaise,Bonanjo –Douala, following the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with the UNDP,represented
at the ceremony by the Resident
Representative of UNDP in Cameroon, Mr. Jean-Luc Stalon ,and witnessed by H.E. Tsutomu Osawa, Ambassador of Japan to
Cameroon.
The Secretary-General at
Littoral Governor’s office, Kim-Nou Nana Thierry, who opened the MOU and
capacity-building ceremony on behalf of Governor Samuel D.I.Diboua, commended
the UNDP and the Japanese Government for assisting development efforts of
Cameroon government
Speaking at the ceremony,
the Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Jean-Luc Stalon, noted:
“Anchored in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and committed to the universality ,equality
and leaving no one behind, the UNDP global vision through its 2018-2021 Strategic
Plan is to help countries achieve sustainable
development by advancing the eradication of poverty in all its forms and
dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development
and strengthening resilience to shocks and crises.”
He pointed out that Cameroon is “struggling to free itself
from the suffocating grip of both internal and external security and
humanitarian challenges caused by incursions of violent extremist groups in
the North, the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions, and political
upheavals in neighboring Central African
Republic.”
Mr. Stalon said by
partnering with CSO’s,the UNDP targets vulnerable people in these regions,
mostly women and young people, to reduce vulnerability and prevent violence by promoting
early recovery and social cohesion.
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| Japanese Ambassador Tsutomu Osawa handing over signed contract to representative-SHUMAS Cameroon |
For his part, the Japanese
Ambassador to Cameroon, Tsutomu Osawa,who said he was happy contributing to the
alleviation of suffering and poverty,
disclosed that the Japanese government contributed up to 100,000USD(about
59mcfa) to the grants given out to the
18 CSO’s.
“In fact, the Government
of Japan attaches importance to the stabilization and the economic development
of Cameroon”,Osawa said, adding that, this calls for the improvement of the
living conditions of vulnerable people.
The Japanese Ambassador
hinted of the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
(TICAD7) billed for August 28-30, 2019 in Japan, which is expected to discuss
ways of brightening the future of Africa.
The grants would not only
“strengthen projects for early recovery in the Northwest and Southwest regions”
but would also “support economic recovery and promote social cohesion in
crisis-affected communities”, according to a press statement.
The statement notes:
“Humanitarian needs in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are
increasing due to the ongoing crisis.
“The situation has
displaced large number of people and left many in despair. Community violence
is escalating and abduction of civilians, the destruction of infrastructure,
homes and livelihoods are affecting people in the two regions”
The grant recipients were
expected to attend a one-day capacity-building workshop on, Thursday, August 1
for transparent and efficient management.
It emerged that the “Early
Recovery Mechanism-Small Grants Facility has been established by UNDP, with
initial funding of 300,000 USD, part (about 100,000 USD) of which provided by
Japan.
With the technical support of the Cameroon
Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program, a call for proposals
was launched in May 2019, and over 60 project proposals were received.
According to the UNDP,
“Projects contributing to a better environment and adopting a gender-based
approach” were prioritized in the selection process and “18 projects were
finally approved, of which “13 projects will be implemented in Northwest region
while four projects will be implemented in the Southwest region.”
It adds that several
projects will address livelihood issues, community dialogue and economic
recovery. “One project for social cohesion through sports will be implemented in
both regions”, it points out.
This UNDP support to the
two English-speaking regions is said to be its contribution to efforts by
Cameroon government and UN agencies in the country “to promote social cohesion,
reduce vulnerability and assist in efforts for recovery in the two regions”.
The
18 beneficiary CSO’s are:
(1) African Justice4Peace Association, AJA: Promoting Social &
Economic cohesion in Donga Matung Phase I
(2)Apiculture and Nature Conservation Organization (ANCO): Promoting
local approach to peace-building and dialogue between the Mbororo pastoralist
communities and natives in Noni subdivision.
(3)Association for the Promotion of Local Development (APDEL):
Integrated Support for People Affected by the socio-political crisis in NW
(4)Bihndumlem Humanitarian Association of Peace and Hope (BHAPH):
Sustainable bee as a major direct tool to fight rural semi -urban poverty to
empower women and girl child in Wum..
(5)Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA):
Local initiative for Peace in Balimumbat Sub-Division of the NW region.
(6)Cameroon Football Development Program (Cameroon-FDP): Social
Cohesion Opportunity for Recovery and Engagement of Girls and youth Orienting
and Advancing Life skills through Sport.
(7)Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW): Developing honey
value chain for Kilum-Ljim Forest Conservation and livelihood improvement.
(8)Center for Rural Action (CEFORA): Ensuring Food and Nutrition
Security for IDPs/Host Communities through on-farm training, transformation and
consumption of improved varieties of selected short cycle crops.
(9) Center for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy (CHRAPA): Rights Based
Approach to providing access to justice as a means to promoting social
cohesion.
(10)Community Development and Epilepsy Foundation (CODEF): Community
Alternative Focus.
(11) Forest and Agroforestry Promoters (FAP NGO): Enhancing livelihoods
and economic opportunities for vulnerable people in Ngoketunjia and Mezam
division.
(12)Food and Rural Development Foundation (FORUDEF): Enhancing
household income through sustainable income generating.
(13)Nkong Hill Top Association for Development (NADEV): Livelihoods
support project for IDPs and Host communities in Fako.
(14)Ntankah Village Women's Common Initiative Group (NVWCIG): Community
resilience and sustainable livelihood promotion initiative.
(15)REACH OUT NGO (REO): Employment Promotion for Youths-at-risk in
Meme division;(16)Strategic Humanitarian Services (SHUMAS Cameroon): Restore
the livelihood of IDP/Vulnerable fish farmers living in Mbefru island.
(17)-Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Services Foundation (SUDAHSER
Foundation): Promoting social cohesion and enhancing sustainable livelihood
among vulnerable farmers displaced through capacity building and support with
start-up materials for market gardening and poultry farming.
(18)Women in Action against Gender-Based Violence (WA Cameroon):
Promoting Women Resilience for Improved Environmental Hygiene and Sanitation in
Bamenda II.
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UNDP Resident Representative ,Jean-Luc Stalon & Japanese AmbassadorTsutomu Osawa in family picture with grant recipients after the signing of the MOU in Douala
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