Violence against healthcare personnel and infrastructures continue to be reported in crises affected areas in Cameroon.

In 2023, at least 16 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health services were reported, including 12 in the North-West and South-West and four in the Far North regions. Most of these incidents involved national health workers, including killings, physical assault, abductions, extortion, and threats by parties. Some health infrastructures in these regions have been damaged and medical equipment looted. In the North-West and South-West regions, some health workers have reportedly resigned for fear of reprisals from parties to the crisis.

In January 2024, six incidents affecting healthcare were reported in the North-West region alone, including interference and disruption of healthcare services, attacks on health personnel, confiscation of hospital property and temporary detention of health personnel.

This situation has a significant impact on the ability of crisis-affected communities to access basic health services. In the Far North, North-West and South-West regions some health facilities have been closed for several years due to repeated attacks by non-State armed groups (NSAGs), some of them have been destroyed by fire. Affected populations, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities, face challenges in accessing health care due to insecurity, limited availability and affordability of health services, lack of transportation and fear of stigmatization. The crises have also increased the vulnerability of women and girls to sexual and reproductive health risks, such as unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence (GBV).

Despite the challenging context, health partners in these regions continue mobilising to provide health support to affected populations in support to the Ministry of Public Health.

Mohammed Aldu, an IDP in Zamay, Far North region, came from Kolofata, where his entire family was killed by NSAGs. A year after this tragedy, Mohammed partially lost his sight. With the support of Humanitarian partners, he was able to travel to the regional hospital in the North region for advanced medical care. Upon his return, he continued to benefit from the support of humanitarian partners. But despite all efforts, Mohammed completely lost his sight.

Similarly, Brenda, a 22-year-old mother, suffered a gunshot wound in a place where there were no adequate facilities to provide her with proper medical care in the North-West region. She was working in her shop in Oshie, Momo division, when gunmen shot her, seriously wounding her and her son Samuel. The district health centre in the area, unable to cope with her critical condition, referred her to the regional hospital in Bamenda. Like many others in similar circumstances Brenda's journey to recovery was marked by financial hardship. Humanitarian partners played a crucial role in alleviating this burden by supporting her through two operations for herself and one for Samuel.

In 2024, humanitarian partners target 1.1 million people and aim to improve access to essential health care for crisis-affected populations, including holistic care for GBV survivors, physical and psychological care for victims of trauma, and ensuring dignified and safe childbirth for women.