
Cameroon
International Medical Corps began working in Cameroon in 2008 in response to an influx of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) along Cameroon’s eastern border. Today, Cameroon’s Far North region hosts nearly 476,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.The Northwest and Southwest regions together host almost 500,000 IDPs.
International Medical Corps is working in refugee camps—in Adamawa, East, Far North, North and Northwest—and with some of the most vulnerable populations in Cameroon to implement health programmes that address disease, nutrition, violence against women and girls, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and child protection.
31.9 million
60/64 years
male/female
408,814
The Challenges
Our Response
Primary and Secondary Healthcare
International Medical Corps in Cameroon supports healthcare facilities across five regions, and provides medical care directly through static health facilities, community health services and mobile outreach. Our services include preventive and curative medical consultations, maternal and newborn health services, including ante- and post-natal care; provision of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment; and construction and rehabilitation of health facilities.
We provide training for healthcare professionals, as well as community health workers, who educate local residents on public health issues, engage in disease surveillance and follow-up on vaccine-preventable illnesses such as polio, neonatal tetanus, yellow fever and measles. International Medical Corps supports community-based surveillance of diseases of epidemic potential, including polio, cholera and malaria, helping to facilitate early detection, prevention and response. Over the last five years, these efforts have led to a significant reduction in cholera cases in several health districts in the Far North and Littoral regions of Cameroon.
In response to the 2024 floods, International Medical Corps improved healthcare access for nearly 30,200 flood-affected people in the Mayo-Danay division of the Far North region, reaching more than 27,600 with primary healthcare consultations.
Food Security and Livelihoods
Drought, floods and landslides throughout Cameroon have affected more than 1 million people, and heavy rains have submerged fields and killed thousands of livestock.
To help build resilience, International Medical Corps supports small-scale agriculture and livestock assistance, kitchen gardening, food distribution, income-generating activities and economic empowerment programmes that complement our nutrition and other support programmes. We also provide livelihood support—operating community cooperatives, implementing community health monitoring and surveillance, developing community groups to support change in climate-resistant food production and nutrition practices, and providing agricultural assistance and training on fishery and animal husbandry—to help people diversify and decrease weather-related risks to their sources of income.
Nutrition
Malnutrition rates remain high in Cameroon. As a combined consequence of regional and intercommunal conflicts, weather-related events (especially floods and droughts) and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 2.6 million people in Cameroon are acutely food-insecure. As a result, many children do not have the nutrients required for healthy development, leading to irreversible cognitive and physical stunting.
International Medical Corps provides nutrition interventions that include screening and treatment for acute malnutrition, cooking demonstrations and nutrition education in our infant and young-child feeding spaces, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, social and behaviour change communication, and training for Ministry of Health staff and community health workers.
Violence Against Women and Girls
International Medical Corps has been implementing programming addressing VAWG in Cameroon since 2009. Our staff trains community-based organisations, local administrative staff and healthcare professionals on core concepts, refers survivors to local healthcare providers, and trains local health staff on clinical management of rape. We also provide MHPSS services to survivors and other women and girls, while educating community members on the risks and consequences of VAWG.
Child Protection
Child marriage, child labor and lack of educational opportunities for girls continue to impede children’s rights in Cameroon. International Medical Corps works in refugee camps and host communities to prevent child abuse and promote the rights of internally displaced children, and refugee children from the Central African Republic and Nigeria.
Our staff trains community-based organisations, government personnel and local NGO staff to promote children’s rights and to prevent and respond to abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect. We provide recreational education, socio-emotional learning and basic education in safe healing and learning spaces. Our case management teams provide material support to unaccompanied and separated children, children associated with armed groups and children with disabilities.
From Hunger to Hope: Caring for Children in Cameroon
Amid armed conflict and deterioration of Cameroon’s health system, our team is providing lifesaving aid.
READ MOREFrequently Asked Questions
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What are the main humanitarian challenges in Cameroon?
Cameroon faces multiple humanitarian crises, including widespread displacement due to regional and ethnic conflicts, poor healthcare infrastructure, severe food insecurity and inadequate water and sanitation services. More than 3.3 million people need humanitarian assistance, and more than 2.6 million are struggling with acute malnutrition.
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Why is Cameroon facing a hunger crisis?
Extreme-weather events such as floods, landslides and drought damage crops and livestock, disrupting food production and destabilising the economy. Economic instability compounds the challenges, while Cameroon receives only a fraction of the necessary funding for humanitarian support.
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What nutrition programmes are available for vulnerable populations in Cameroon?
International Medical Corps offers nutrition screening and treatment, cooking demonstrations, vitamin A supplementation, deworming and education on infant and young-child feeding. These programmes help children, pregnant women and other at-risk groups combat malnutrition and promote healthy development.
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How are humanitarian actors addressing violence against women and girls in Cameroon?
Since 2009, International Medical Corps has implemented programmes to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG). These include training for healthcare providers, referral systems for survivors, mental health support and community education on the risks and consequences of VAWG.
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How do humanitarian aid groups protect children in Cameroon?
International Medical Corps works to prevent child abuse, child labour and child marriage in refugee camps and among host communities. Programmes include training for local organisations, education in safe spaces and case management for vulnerable children, including those separated from their families or displaced by armed conflict.
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How does International Medical Corps support healthcare in Cameroon?
International Medical Corps provides preventive and curative medical care through static health facilities, mobile outreach and community health services. Programs include reproductive health, disease surveillance, immunisations and training for healthcare professionals and community health workers.
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How can I help people in Cameroon?
By donating to International Medical Corps, you can help us save lives in Cameroon and respond to other crises worldwide. Your support enables life-saving healthcare, nutrition, protection, and education programmes for displaced and vulnerable populations in Cameroon and other crisis-affected regions.