The humanitarian situation in Cameroon continues to be deeply concerning with three concurrent crises that show no sign of abating: the Lake Chad Basin conflict, the North-West and South-West crisis and the influx of Central African Republic refugees. 

In 2026, humanitarian needs are expected to persist due to ongoing conflict, violence and insecurity, climate-related shocks, and health emergencies, leaving 2.9 million people in urgent need of assistance. This includes 1.4 million people in the Far North, 1.1 million people in the North-West and South-West and 337,000 people among Central African and urban refugees.

Cameroon hosts over 845,000 internally displaced persons, nearly 791,000 returnees and around 426,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

Cameroon is one of the eight accelerated transition countries under the Humanitarian Reset. As such, and despite continued high humanitarian needs, Cameroon is undergoing a significant shift in its humanitarian architecture. 

The country is transitioning from the internationally led Inter-Agency Standing Committee model to a more localized approach led by national and local actors. 

Operational capacities have been significantly affected by years of underfinancing and the drastic reduction of funds from certain donors in 2025, limiting the ability to respond effectively. 

In 2026, the humanitarian response in Cameroon will require an estimated US$268 million to deliver timely, principled and inclusive life-saving assistance to 1.9 million people identified for assistance, prioritizing the 1.1 million people facing the most severe needs.

Humanitarian partners will deliver multi-sectoral aid, encompassing food assistance, protection (with a focus on gender-based violence, child protection services, and protection monitoring), health services, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as shelter, through a combination of in-kind and cash-based modalities.