cameroon
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Cameroon
Government
Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime.
A representative democracy in which the people elected deputies (representatives), not the
people themselves, vote on legislation.
Regional neighbor: Central African Republic, Chad,Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) ,Guinea,
Gabon, Nigeria
Economy
Type of economy: Commodity-based economy
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of
the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Major industry: petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light
consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair.
Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, cassava (manioc);
livestock; timber
Current state of economy: GDP-$25.46 Billion
GDP - per capita: $2,300 (2012.)
Level of import/export: Exports:$6.538 billion (2012)
Exports commodities:
crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton
Exports - partners:
Spain 13.4%, China 11.4%, Netherlands 9.8%, Italy 8.9%, France 6.4%, US 5.9%, India 5.7%, Germany
4.8%, Belgium 4.1% (2011)
Imports:
$6.597 billion (2012)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food
Imports - partners:
China 16.8%, France 16.6%, Nigeria 12.3%, Belgium 5.3%, Italy 4.3%, US 4.2% (2011)
Military
The Cameroonian Armed Forces generally has been an apolitical force where civilian control of the
military predominates. Traditional dependence on the French defense capability, although reduced,
continues to be the case as French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the
Cameroonian forces for deployment to the contested Bakassi Peninsula. The armed forces number
38,000-40,000 personnel in ground, air, and naval forces.
The Cameroonian armed forces have bases spread all over Cameroon, including in Ngaoundéré. Air
Force bases are located in Garoua, Yaoundé,Douala and Bamenda.
"China has an ongoing military-military relationship with Cameroon, which includes training for
Cameroonian military students each year in China, technical advisors to assist in repairing Cameroonian
military vehicles and naval vessels, and Chinese military sales.”
Army
With 20,000 men (including a rate of feminization of nearly 10%) the Army remains the most important
component in terms of numbers.The Army is under the responsibility of the Chief of Staff, Général de
division Nkoa Atenga, whose staff is in Yaoundé.
Currently the organization dates from 2001 with a distribution in several types of units: combat units,
response units (unités d'intervention), unités de soutien et d'appui et finally special reserve units as part of
3 joint military régions (interarmees) and the 10 military land sectors.[3]
Army units have been trained and equipped to fight in the swampy coastal terrain facing the Bakassi
peninsula.
Combat units of the army include:
"The General Headquarter Brigade, located in Yaoundé. This brigade is responsible for protecting
the capital and supporting the institutions. The President of the Republic has to allow any of its
deployments."
"Three command and support battalions;"
"The Rapid Intervention Brigade, (which currently has no general staff) and is made up of three
rapid intervention battalions, stationed in Doula, Tiko and Koutaba. These three battalions are
respectively the Bataillon Special Amphibie (BSA), the Bataillon des Troupes Aeroportees (BTAP)
and the Bataillon Blinde de Reconnaissance (BBR). The BSA is inspired by the French Special
Forces. This brigade is a tactical battle unit under the authority of the Chief of Staff of the armed
forces. For this to be engaged, the President’s agreement is necessary. Amongst its three
battalions, only the BTAP is operational;"
"Five motorised infantry brigades, supposed to be stationed in one military sector but which can
then be engaged without any regard to the territorial division of the country. These brigades
currently do not have a general staff. In theory, they consist of 11 motorised infantry battalions; 5
support battalions and 3 backing battalions; however, the motorised battalions are in reality not
operational due to a lack of staff, equipment and vehicles."
"Three rapid intervention battalions, the so-called BIR."
Air force
The Cameroon Air Force (Armée de l'Air du Cameroun) theoretically possesses a fairly well balanced
force of relatively unsophisticated aircraft, although many of these are now ageing and serviceability
levels are likely to be low. Emphasis is placed on transport and utility operations in support of ground
forces. Combat capability is modest and restricted to a few armed trainers that can be used for ground
attack, COIN and close air support roles. Six Atlas Impala jet trainers purchased from South Africa in
1997 had a lengthy gestation period before becoming operational and did not enter service until late
1998.
Currently, the air force has 6 Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets (2 are currently inoperable) as attack aircraft;
3 Lockheed C-130 Hercules and 1 Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma transport aircraft, 1 Piper PA-23,
1 Aérospatiale Alouette II, 2 Joker 300, 7 Humbert Tétras for training and 2 Bell 206 as observation and
liaison aircraft. The independently operated Presidential aerial squadron has 1 Grumman Gulfstream III,
1 Aérospatiale Dauphin and 1 Aérospatiale Super Puma, which are not part of air force equipment.
Maintenance of aircraft of this squadron is better than for those of the air force.
Navy
Cameroon's Marine Nationale République modernised and increased its capabilities during 2000 with the
acquisition of a number of small Rodman patrol craft and the retirement of some small older craft. A
number of small patrol boats have been acquired or ordered from France. Latest estimates indicate naval
strength consists of two combat patrol vessels, three coastal patrol vessels and approximately 30 smaller
inshore and river patrol craft allocated to both the navy and the local gendarmerie. These include two 135
tonne Yunnan-class landing craft, which are able to carry and launch smaller craft for troop
insertions.Some effort has been made to assess equipment needs to bring L'Audacieux P103 and
Bakassi P104 to an effective combat status. This has resulted in weapons capabilities being reduced in
favour of an increase in serviceability and the service is now effectively without missile attack capabilities.
Bakassi (a Type P 48S missile patrol craft) completed a major refit at Lorient, France in August 1999. This
included removing the Exocet missile system and EW equipment, and fitting a funnel aft of the mainmast
to replace the waterline exhausts. New radars were also installed. Bakassi is now armed only with 40 mm
cannon. Although the Bizerte (Type PR 48 large patrol craft) class L'Audacieux is fitted for SS 12M
missiles these are not embarked and its operational status is in some doubt, having not been reported at
sea since 1995. The Quartier-Maître Alfred Moto patrol boat was listed as out of service in 1991 but was
reactivated.
Military Statistics
Manpower fit for service: Males age 16-49: 2,645,801 and Females age 16-48: 2,574,948
Military expenditure: 1.3 % of GDP
Branches: Cameroon Armed Forces, Army, Navy, and Air Force
Air force personnel 300
Armed forces growth 79
Armed forces personnel 13,000
Arms imports > constant 1990 US$ 6,000,000 constant 1990 US$
Army personnel 11,500
expenditure > % of GDP 1.32 %
Expenditures 1.3 % of GDP
Expenditures > Dollar figure $221,100,000.00
Manpower > Availability > Females 4,228,625
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 3,799,840
Manpower > Military age 18 years of age
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males 212,205
Navy personnel 1,300
personnel 23,000
personnel % of total labor force 0.37 %
US military exports $488.00 thousand
Weapon holdings 114,000
Issues
Oil conflict with Nigeriain1994, 1996 for Oil. The two neighbours each claimed ownership of the oil-rich
Bakassi peninsula.
Outcome: Nigeria withdrew its troops from the area in 2006 in line with an International Court of Justice
ruling which awarded sovereignty of the area to Cameroon.
Culture
Cameroon religion comprises of a number of religions including Islam, Christianity along with several
indigenous religions.
The Constitution of Cameroon guarantees freedom of religion. As a result the citizens are free to practice
any religion of their own choice. The northern part of the country is occupied by the Fulani tribe. The
people of this community are mainly Muslims. The Bamoun community inhabiting the western part of the
country also practice Islam. Christianity is the predominant religion in other parts of the country. The
French speaking people of the country inhabit the southern and western parts of the country and are
mostly Catholics while the English speaking population of the western region are Protestants. The total
number of Catholics in the country is far more than the number of Protestants. The Christian churches
exert a strong influence in South Cameroon.
There are occasional feuds on the basis of religion in Cameroon. The Muslim Fulani tribe is often found to
be at loggerheads with the Kirdi group who adhere to indigenous beliefs since centuries. The national
radio network conducts religious programs for a couple of hours on a weekly basis. These programs
cover both the religions. The local stations also include such religious programs in their schedule.
Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
24 major African language groups, French (official), English (official)
Ethnic group
The demographic profile of Cameroon is complex for a country of its population. Cameroon comprises an
estimated 250 distinct ethnic groups, which may be formed into five large regional-cultural divisions:
western highlanders (Semi-Bantu or grassfielders), including the Bamileke, Bamum (or Bamoun), and
many smaller Tikargroups in the Northwest (est. 38% of total population);
coastal tropical forest peoples, including the Bassa, Duala (or Douala), and many smaller groups in
the Southwest (12%);
southern tropical forest peoples, including the Beti-Pahuin, Bulu (a subgroup of Beti-Pahuin), Fang
(subgroup of Beti-Pahuin), Maka, Njem, and Baka pygmies (18%);
predominantly Islamic peoples of the northern semi-arid regions (the Sahel) and central highlands,
including the Fulani(French: Peul or Peuhl; Fula: Fulɓe) (14%); and
the "Kirdi", non-Islamic or recently Islamic peoples of the northern desert and central highlands
(18%).
In Cameroon, current migration flows take the form of a general movement from the countryside
to the cities, on the one hand, and a tendency to emigrate to Europe, particularly France, on the
other.
The country also serves as a destination for migrants, because of its relative political stability and
socio-economic potential, even though it is losing its attractiveness. Migration therefore seems to
be rather balanced in Cameroon, given that, according to the United Nations Population Division,
the net migration rate (per 1,000 persons) was zero during the 1995-2000 period, – 0.1 during the
2000-2005 period, – 0.2 for the 2005-2010 period and – 0.1 for 2010-2015 (UNPD, 2008).
Immigration into Cameroon
Immigration into Cameroon, which registered an upward trend in the 1970–1980 period (143,611
immigrants in 1976 and 257,689 in 1987), has been on a constant decline since then, with the
number of immigrants estimated at 228,383 in 2000, 211,880 in 2005 and 196,570 in 2010
(UNPD, 2009). It would therefore appear that Cameroon’s attractiveness has progressively
declined.
In 2007, immigrants came essentially from neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic,
Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria (DRC, 2007).
It is difficult to obtain further information about the types of immigrants concerned because of the
lack of detailed information in this regard. The scope of the informal economy makes it difficult to
efficiently manage migrant workers and thus obtain proper knowledge of their numbers and
characteristics. The lack of data is all the more significant since the household surveys (ECAM I
and II), conducted in 1996 and 2001, did not deal with the migration issue. The results of the last
census (2004), which was intended to provide specific indications, are still not available.
However, information on the presence of refugees and asylum-seekers in Cameroon is available.
By virtue of its geographical position (bordering almost all countries of the subregion) and its
political stability, Cameroon seems to be the preferred destination for many people fleeing from
wars in their countries of origin or residence. In 2007 and 2006, refugees in Cameroon essentially
came from Chad (40,500), the Central African Republic (24,000) and Nigeria (3,000). The total
number of refugees and asylum-seekers was estimated at 71,200 in 2007 compared with 58,800
in 2006 (USCRI, 2008; Ndione and Pabanel, 2007). Moreover, data from the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2008 indicated the existence of 81,037 refugees and
2,231 asylumseekers (UNHCR, 2009). This significant variation between the two periods is due to
the conflict situation prevailing in the Central African Republic and Chad.
Cameroonian emigration
Cameroonian emigrants were estimated at 170,363 in 2007. France – with 38,530 migrants – is
the preferred destination of Cameroonians, followed by Gabon (30,216), Nigeria (16,980) and the
United States (12,835) (DRC, 2007).
According to the partial data compiled by the African Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of External
Relations of Cameroon, between 250,000 and 300,000 Cameroonians lived in the Gulf of Guinea
States between 2000 and 2004, essentially because they belong to the same ethnic groups and
geographical area (Chouala, 2004).
The majority are long-term migrants given that 40 per cent reside in their country of emigration for
over ten years, and 16 per cent for a period of five to ten years (OECD, 2008).
Compared with other countries of the Central African subregion experiencing unrest (Central
African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo), Cameroon does not have many
refugees. They were estimated at 11,833 in 2007. Concerning asylum-seekers, after reaching a
peak of 6,289 in 2003, their number progressively declined during the following years to around
2,933 in 2008, mainly in Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland)
(UNHCR, 2009).
Cameroon has a significant number of highly skilled emigrants. In 2000, 17 per cent of the
Cameroonian population with a higher education emigrated (Docquier and Marfouk, 2005).
During the 1995–2005 period, 46 per cent of Cameroonian doctors and 19 per cent of nurses
emigrated to selected countries (Clemens and Pettersson, 2007). According to the Cameroon
Medical Association, 4,200 Cameroonian doctors, mostly specialists, are working abroad. Only
800, that is 1 for 10,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, are left in the cities, with 1 for 40,000 to 50,000 in
the distressed areas. It is believed that 20,000 African nurses and doctors emigrate to countries
of the north every year (Pigeaud, 2007).
Factors leading to migration
Migration in Cameroon can be explained by several factors that deter potential immigrants and
reduce migration flows into Cameroon, and cause the departure of Cameroonians. Indeed, like
most developing countries, Cameroon has been experiencing development difficulties since the
1980s due to poverty, economic crisis, soaring population growth, external debt burden, the
poorly controlled urbanization of cities and adjustment policies that are often not suited to the
national situation. The analysis of poverty indicators shows a 55 per cent incidence of poverty
among the population in 2007, which is far from the objective of 25 per cent that the State is
expected to achieve by 2015 (INS, ECAM III, 2007).
Cameroon has average human development, with a human development index ranging between
0.500 and 0.779 (UNDP, 2004 and 2006).
These various reasons explain the new migration trends of the rural populations towards the
cities, from the cities to countries of the subregion and finally to other continents, mainly Europe,
with the key objective of migrants being to improve their living conditions.
The consequences of migration on Cameroonian society
Migration in Cameroon has an impact on the national economy. Indeed, the transfer of funds by
Cameroonian emigrants helps fight poverty.
According to the World Bank, the amount of remittances from Cameroonian migrants was
estimated at USD 103 million in 2005, that is 2.5 per cent of official development aid. The amount
of funds transferred is constantly increasing. Estimated at USD 11 million in 2000, it rose to USD
103 million in 2004 and USD 167 million in 2008. This amount represents 0.8 per cent of the
country’s gross domestic product (World Bank, 2009).
Remittances are personalized and used for medical care, school fees, rent payments or the
purchase of consumer goods.
These transfers stimulate the country’s economic activity by replacing credit and other financing
methods and facilitating the initiation of projects and other income-generating activities.
Remittances significantly reduce the foreign exchange losses caused by deficits in the balance of
payments.
Cameroonian migration also has an impact on the labour market. The increase in the transfer of
funds led to the expansion of the banking system and the multiplication of banks and money
transfer companies, thus generating thousands of jobs. For example, since its creation about ten
years ago, Express Union, a local financial company, has opened more than 200 agencies
around the country and in the subregion. It generates close to 5,020 jobs (interview with an
Express Union employer, 2008).
The darker side of emigration is that it leads to brain drain. According to statistics provided by the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in 2005 Cameroonian migrants in
European countries numbered 57,050. Some 42.3 per cent of these are thought to be highly
qualified. This phenomenon specifically concerns doctors and academics.
The policy framework and migration management challenges
A review of the migration management policy framework in Cameroon has been under way since
2008, with respect to security policy, the transfer of migrant funds, issues concerning diaspora
(transfer of skills), return policies, brain drain and the irregular migration phenomenon.
The most recent law within this framework which essentially relates to the regulation of migration
flows is Act No. 97/012 of 10 January 1997. It sets the conditions of entry, stay and return of
foreigners in Cameroon (Sindjoun, 2004).
The priority, for both the new national migration policy and the programmes being drafted, is
support for co-development. Cameroon therefore relies on diaspora and its human and financial
investment capacity for the country’s development by creating incentives, even though Cameroon
is at the initial stages of programmes aimed at mobilizing diaspora.
To date, the effective implementation of decisions taken within the framework of the regulation of
migration flows by Cameroon is hindered by a certain number of shortcomings and
inconsistencies. These elements contribute to weakening the authorities’ policy framework and
encourage the development of individual strategies that enable migrants to move more easily
within the national territory delimited by borders that are poorly demarcated and porous
(Mbogning, 2004).
These elements are as follows:
- A policy that overly focuses on security aspects: Other types of problems concerning
employment, development and health are increasingly evident and require solutions. In its new
approach, the migration policy provides that, in addition to security problems, aspects related to
development, diaspora, the transfer of funds, the youth employment policy, brain drain and co-
development should be taken into consideration.
- The administrative individualism that characterizes the Cameroonian public service and the
absence of rigorous coordination: It is worth noting, however, that Cameroon has an inter-
ministerial working group on migration and development issues. Since the migration issue is
cross-cutting, this committee brings together various Cameroonian ministries. Each ministry is
responsible for identifying themes relating to migration and sending its contribution to the Ministry
of External Relations, which is responsible for formulating the new Cameroonian migration policy
framework. However, the Cameroonian system suffers from the fact that ministerial meetings and
inter-ministerial sessions are rarely convened, and from the lack of permanent inter-ministerial
committees on the regulation of migration flows (Mbogning, 2004).
- The insufficiency of mobilized resources: Indeed, the country does not have enough means for
the close supervision of borders.
Data gaps
It was difficult to collect data for the preparation of this profile because much information did not
exist, or was out of date, lacked precision and was not broken down. The difference in the
definition and calculation method from one study to another revealed that the statistics provided
by different sources, on the same information, do not correspond.The confidentiality of some
information and its availability also created problems.
There is a need to undertake further studies in order to generate more information, to
computerize data collection and to systematize data processing.
These problems will be dealt with and solutions found with the advent of greater understanding
and political will to facilitate this work.
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea
and Nigeria
Geographic
coordinates:
6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 475,440 sq km
land: 469,440 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Land boundaries: total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,
Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km,
Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 50 nm
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center,
mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation
extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako (on Mount Cameroon) 4,095 m
Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 12.81%
permanent crops: 2.58%
other: 84.61% (2001)
Irrigated land: 330 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos
and Lake Monoun volcanoes
Environment -
current issues:
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing;
desertification; poaching; overfishing
Environment -
international
agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there
are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic
activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west
Africa, is an active volcano.
United Nations Policy
Cameroon is an active participant in the United Nations, where its voting record demonstrates its
commitment to causes that include international peacekeeping, the rule of law, environmental protection,
and Third World economic development. In the UN and other human rightsfora, Cameroon's non-
confrontational approach has generally led it to avoid criticizing other countries.
Cameroon enjoys good relations with the United States and other developed countries. Cameroon enjoys
generally good relations with its African neighbors. It supports UN peacekeeping activities in Central
Africa.
Cameroon–United States relations are international relations between Cameroon and the United States,
the relations are close, although from time to time they have been affected by concerns over human
rights abuses and the pace of political and economic liberalization. The bilateral U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) program in Cameroon closed for budgetary reasons in 1994.
However, approximately 140 Peace Corps volunteers continue to work successfully in agroforestry,
community development, education, and health. The Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy
in Yaoundé organizes and funds diverse cultural, educational, and information exchanges. It maintains a
library and helps foster the development of Cameroon's independent press by providing information in a
number of areas, including U.S. human rights and democratization policies. The Embassy's Self-help and
Democracy and Human Rights Funds are some of the largest in Africa.
Through several State Department and USAID regional funds, the Embassy also provides funds for:
refugees, HIV/AIDS, democratization and girl's scholarships. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
provided a commodity grant valued at $6 million in 2003 to fund agricultural development projects in the
North and Far North provinces. A similar program for $4 million was approved in 2004. The program will
fund an agricultural development and nutrition enhancement project in the East and Adamawa provinces.
The United States and Cameroon work together in the United Nations and a number of other multilateral
organizations. While in the UN Security Council in 2002, Cameroon worked closely with the United States
on a number of initiatives. The U.S. Government continues to provide substantial funding for international
financial institutions, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and African Development
Bank, that provide financial and other assistance to Cameroon.
General health care / Education
Cameroon: fight HIV/AIDS
•In 2003, WHO/UNAIDS estimated Cameroon’s total antiretroviral therapy need to be about 85 000
people, and the WHO “3 by 5” target was calculated to be 42 500 people (based on 50% of estimated
need). In 2005, WHO/UNAIDS estimated that the number of people needing treatment in Cameroon had
risen to 108 000
•Cameroon set a national target of providing antiretroviral therapy to 36 000 people by the end of 2005.
•The National Multisectoral Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS for 2000–2005 targets 10 000 people in 2004 and
14 864 people in 2005. The Round 5 proposal for the Global Fund provides for the delivery of
antiretroviral therapy to 36 115 people, including 921 children, by 2008.
•As of October 2004, 12 896 people were reported to be receiving antiretroviral therapy. At the end of
2004, 15 296 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy. By June 2005, this increased to 17 940 people
receiving antiretroviral therapy, of which 427 were children.
•The Ministry of Health established the first treatment centre for providing antiretroviral therapy in March
2001. By December 2004, there were 23 certified treatment centres, mostly based in central and
provincial hospitals. The national plan for decentralizing antiretroviral therapy for 2004–2005 made
provision to increase the number of sites providing treatment from 23 to 83 by the end of 2005. By
September 2005, there were 89 sites providing treatment in the country, of which 68 were in the public
sector and 5 in the private sector and 16 were run by faith-based organizations. Geographical coverage of
antiretroviral services remains restricted; in September 2005 only 62 of 160 districts in the country had
access to antiretroviral therapy services.
•The number of facilities providing services for voluntary counselling and testing increased: from 18 at the
end of 2003 to 89 by September 2005, most of which are in the public sector. The number of facilities
providing services for preventing mother-to-child transmission increased from 160 at the end of 2003 to
462 by September 2005, covering 117 of the 160 districts, but needs to be expanded further. By
September 2005, 64 000 women, only 10% of the total number of pregnant women expected every year
at antenatal clinics, were tested and counseled for HIV. The national programme for preventing mother-
to-child transmission aims to cover at least 80% of health districts by 2006 and to offer HIV counselling
and testing to at least 80% of pregnant women.
Cameroon: Fighting the scourge of illiteracy
To encourage parents in this region to send their children to school a strange strategy has been devised.
Food rations have been introduced in some rural schools and this strategy seems to have greatly
improved the enrolment girls.
This “Food for Education” programme is supported by the World Food Program (WFP) in partnership with
the Canadian government to effectively improve the education of children from poor families in the North,
Far North and Adamawa. According to the World Food Program, more than 300 million children
worldwide suffer from chronic hunger and around 170 million of them go to school hungry, particularly in
Africa.
UNESCO also emphasizes that children who go hungry at school are easily distracted, have trouble
staying awake and concentrating on teaching.
According to Christophe Akono, a WFP official, the "rations" are intended to attract girls to schools. Some
receive bags of rice, oil and corn free at the end of school so they win in the parents, a way to convince
them that the school especially the girl is a very good thing, "he adds.
The ration is distributed during the period when household food stocks are at their lowest level and the
food aid is particularly useful in helping families to keep up until the next harvest season. The
establishment of school canteens in certain rural schools and volunteers sponsored by WFP, allows
students who live in distant places to take lunch in the school. These rations are prepared and distributed
to students during breaks. Whether Niger, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, the programme appears
to have the targeted effect as more and more families are sending their children to school.
Thanks to this programme implemented since 1992 in the Northern regions, girl enrolment in school has
gone by 75%, according to a WFP evaluation.
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