Community-based Child Protection Program, The North West and South West regions of Cameroon are currently been hit by socio-political unrest, with massive displacement of the population, causing great starvation, destruction of houses and property, and schools and hospitals locked down with great insecurity and access difficulty. The situations get worse by the day as thousands of displaced lack basic facilities and needs. Recent need assessments report reveal that at least 4 million persons have been affected by the current socio-political conflict in the two Anglophone Regions of Cameroon resulting in the displacement of 437,500 persons -women and children comprising the majority (source: OCHA December 2018 report). The situation of children is further compounded by the fact that about 3700 are separated or unaccompanied, leaving them at the mercy of host families, communities, and persons of goodwill.
CADEF supports the education and protection needs of children affected by the conflict, CADEF provides comprehensive integrated child protection, psychosocial, and education programs in the South West Region. The program’s aim is to support, unaccompanied and separated children and other vulnerable children in the community
In a context where formal services and government presence are limited, CADEF uses a community-based child protection strategy to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of girls and boys.
The community, including children themselves, parents and caregivers, and community members all have a crucial role to play in keeping children safe and supporting their healthy development.