Ensuring access to health and education services: this is the goal of “NOW - Need to Operate for Wellbeing,” a project implemented by AVSI and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, to sustain vulnerable people in the Southwest part of Camerun.
The context
The initiative takes place in a context where the so-called “Anglophone crisis” sees ongoing clashes between the Cameroonian Armed Forces and the separatist armed groups in the Anglophone regions. The conflict has inevitably forced a large number of people to leave their homes and has limited access to essential goods and services, such as food, education, health, and hygiene. The emergency multisectoral intervention, which AVSI is carrying out together with its project partners, is enabling the municipality of Fontem and the village of Fojumetaw, in the Department of Lebialem, to expand access to health, education, and protection services. How?
Health
From the health perspective, the intervention aims to implement prevention and care actions for women and children. The project involves the renovation of several pavilions at the Mary Health of Africa hospital in Fontem; the strengthening of the skills of the health staff at the hospital and the health center in Fojumetaw in identifying and managing obstetric, neonatal emergencies, and infectious diseases; and sensitizing the staff to adopt a psychosocial approach in treating patients.
In addition to these interventions, informational campaigns on health and rights, involving over 8,000 people, have already led several beneficiaries to participate in vaccination and prevention campaigns for various diseases, both infectious and non-infectious.
Education
Regarding educational interventions, NOW aims to enhance educational services for displaced and resident minors through the rehabilitation of classrooms and bathrooms at the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom secondary school in Fontem, allowing the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Moreover, 10 teachers and 4 educators have begun a training program on psychosocial support, the referral system, and the development of skills for managing educational pathways in emergency contexts, which they will later replicate to their colleagues. This approach aims to expand the provision of educational services to ensure greater coverage in the area.
Finally, awareness trainings will be held to guide caregivers in understanding children's needs and support them in their educational journey. A school garden will also be created to improve students' nutritional conditions and to transmit more practical and concrete learning.