The launch of the “Alternative Solutions to the Minawao Camp” project opens a new phase in the management of refugee reception in the Far North. Beyond the humanitarian emergency, partners are now focusing on economic inclusion and social stability.
The Cameroonian government, with the support of the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNHCR, and GIZ, officially launched the “Alternative Solutions to the Minawao Camp” project on May 12, 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of refugee populations and host communities through actions focused on socio-economic integration, access to opportunities, and social cohesion.
Located in the Far North region, the Minawao camp has been hosting thousands of refugees who fled violence in the Lake Chad basin for several years. Faced with demographic pressure and ongoing security challenges, Cameroonian authorities and their partners now wish to move beyond the emergency assistance approach to promote more sustainable responses.
The project thus aims to promote the economic empowerment of beneficiaries while supporting the local development of the concerned municipalities. Vocational training, access to income-generating activities, and strengthening social services are among the priority areas.
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Beyond the humanitarian issue, this transition reflects a political will: to prevent social tensions, consolidate local peace, and create conditions for better integration of refugees in host territories. For the engaged partners, the future of Minawao can no longer be limited to assistance; it must now be part of a shared development dynamic.
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