Note: The following appeal is now closed. You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross
Thousands of people have fled the intense fighting in Chad between rebel and government forces. Over 30,000 people have streamed across the river Chari to seek refuge in Cameroon.
The Cameroon Red Cross has mobilized volunteers and staff in Kousseri who are assisting refugees, and helping with the distribution of food and other emergency relief items. Volunteers will also be involved in the voluntary relocation of refugees to another site located in Maltam, about 30 km from Kousseri.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is currently transporting 20 tonnes of non-food items to help the Chadian refugees in Northern Cameroon. Two planes and two lorries are carrying blankets, mats, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, hygiene articles and a water treatment unit from Yaounde to Kousseri, where thousands of Chadian refugees are in need of immediate assistance.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an emergency appeal for $1.6 million to support the Cameroon Red Cross Society in assisting 10,000 refugees for the next six months. Early recovery activities and transition support will also be conducted for a further 6 months.
The Canadian Red Cross is appealing to the public to generously support the current overwhelming humanitarian needs of affected communities. Funds raised will be used to provide much-needed relief supplies including food, shelter, sanitation facilities and support a vaccination campaign against meningitis, measles and polio. After the immediate needs are met affected communities will need help rebuilding their lives.