As a result of armed conflicts in some neighbouring countries, Cameroon today hosts over 350,000 refugees, according to figures from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNCHR.

However, funding for the upkeep of these refugees has been dwindling, with only 37 per cent of requirements for 2016 met, UNHCR sources explain. Instead of the expected 98.6 million US Dollars for 2016, only 36.2 million US Dollars was raised, leaving a shortfall of 62.4 million US Dollars.

It is in this context that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, arrives in Cameroon today, December 15, 2016, on a three-day visit. Grandi, who flies in from Chad to Maroua in the Far North Region, is due to visit the sprawling Minawao Camp on the outskirts of the regional headquarters that hosts 60,000 Nigerian refugees.

After which, the High Commissioner will hold discussions with local UNHCR officials before flying to Yaounde later in the afternoon. Tomorrow December 16, 2016, Filippo Grandi is expected to hold discussions with donors, UNHCR and UN System officials, before launching the Regional Response Plan for Nigerian Refugees.

He is also due to meet refugee representatives and cabinet ministers before concluding the day with a press conference. Filippo Grandi leaves for Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

“Filippo Grandi’s visit is to express his compassion to Nigerian refugees and Internally-displaced People for the violence they suffered and gratitude to the Cameroonian government and people for their hospitality and solidarity towards thousands of refugees in the country,” explained Khassim Diagne, UNHCR Country Representative for Cameroon.