DONATE

    PROVISION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FIRST AID AND GBV SERVICE MAPPING IN THE NORTH WEST AND SOUTH WEST REGIONS OF CAMEROON

    PROVISION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FIRST AID AND GBV SERVICE MAPPING IN THE NORTH WEST AND SOUTH WEST REGIONS OF CAMEROON

    Problem Analysis

    Since November 2016, the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon have been engulfed in an armed conflict that has devastated lives and communities. What began as socio-political grievances rapidly escalated into a full-blown humanitarian crisis marked by deaths, population displacement, the collapse of local economies, and the breakdown of social systems. Schools, health centers, and community infrastructures were destroyed or abandoned, forcing hundreds of thousands particularly women and children into displacement, isolation, and acute vulnerability.

    In these patriarchal societies where women traditionally have limited decision-making power, the crisis amplified pre-existing gender inequalities. Women and girls became the hardest hit facing widespread gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation, early and forced marriages, and the loss of livelihoods. Cultural taboos, economic dependence, and fear of stigmatization silenced many survivors, leaving them without access to justice, psychosocial support, or reproductive health care. Reports indicated soaring rates of rape, unsafe deliveries, early pregnancies, and untreated sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

    Compounding these problems was the absence of an effective referral system for GBV survivors. Service providers worked in isolation, and survivors often had no information on where or how to seek help. Health workers, law enforcement, psychosocial counsellors, and community structures operated without coordination, creating duplication, fragmentation, and weak service delivery. Many humanitarian actors lacked reliable data on “who is doing what and where,” hindering effective planning and response.

    It was against this backdrop that LUKMEF, in collaboration with UNFPA and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), initiated the GBV Cartography and Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) Project. The project sought to address the urgent need for a coordinated, survivor-centered approach to GBV response within the NWSW crisis context. Through extensive fieldwork despite insecurity, ghost towns, and limited access LUKMEF successfully mapped over 150 service providers across six divisions of the South-West Region. This mapping exercise produced a validated referral pathway that now guides timely, appropriate, and confidential support for survivors.

    Furthermore, over 7,089 internally displaced persons (IDPs) received psychosocial first aid, and 3,500 women and girls benefited from dignity and “Mama” kits that restored basic hygiene, dignity, and hope amid displacement. Community mobilizers were trained to provide emotional support, raise awareness on GBV and HIV, and strengthen local capacity for sustained humanitarian response.

    Despite formidable challenges security threats, administrative bottlenecks, and data collection barriers the project demonstrated that community-based, rights-focused action can transform despair into resilience when well-coordinated. It showed that even in the heart of crisis, partnerships rooted in empathy, expertise, and accountability can create tangible impact for the most vulnerable.

    The success of this initiative proves one clear truth: when resources meet the will, transformation happens. To scale this impact and reach more survivors across conflict-affected communities, LUKMEF Cameroon invites partnerships, funding collaborations, and technical support to replicate and expand this model of coordinated GBV response and psychosocial care.

    Contact: partnerships@lukmefcameroon.org
    Tel/WhatsApp: +237 677 947 449

    PROVISION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FIRST AID AND GBV SERVICE MAPPING IN THE NORTH WEST AND SOUTH WEST REGIONS OF CAMEROON

    Start Date

    20180101

    End Date

    20181231

    Budget

    Donor

    United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

    Coordinator

    Bate Godwill Bate National Coordinator

    Sector

    Related Pillars

    Related SDGs

    Region

    Southwest Northwest

    Localities

    The project was implemented in six divisions of the South-West Region (Fako, Meme, Manyu, Ndian, Lebialem, Kupe-Muanenguba)  that is  20 communities/subdivision (Buea, Limbe (I–III), Muyuka, Tiko, Kumba (I–III), Mbonge, Konye, Ekondo Titi, Mundemba, Mamfe, Tinto, Akwaya, Fontem, Alou, Wabane, Bangem, Tombel, Nguti)and extended Psychosocial First Aid services to vulnerable populations in the North-West Region of Cameroon.

    Beneficiaries

    7,089 individuals (mostly women and girls) received Psychosocial First Aid (PFA)
    3,500 women and girls received Dignity and Mama Kits
    Objectives:
    1. To develop and implement a functional referral system for GBV survivors
      • Through the cartography of GBV service providers, the project aimed to identify, document, and map all institutions and organizations providing prevention, clinical, psychosocial, legal, and security services.
      • This provided a clear picture of “who is doing what and where,” ensuring survivors could be referred efficiently for appropriate assistance.
    2. To strengthen coordination and collaboration among GBV actors in the humanitarian response
      • Established a South-West GBV Task Force and held a validation workshop involving UNFPA, MINPROFF, and other stakeholders.
      • Improved inter-agency cooperation and reduced duplication of services by creating a shared referral directory.
    3. To build the capacity of local actors and service providers on GBV in emergencies
      • Conducted training for divisional focal points, data collectors, and community mobilizers on GBV principles, psychosocial support, and humanitarian response.
      • Enhanced the skills of local service providers to deliver quality and ethical GBV services even in insecure environments.
    4. To provide psychosocial first aid (PFA) to internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly women and girls
      • Delivered PFA services to 7,089 beneficiaries, helping survivors manage trauma, stress, and loss.
      • Empowered trained community agents to offer continued psychosocial care at community level.
    5. To improve access to essential dignity and reproductive health items for vulnerable women and girls
      • Distributed 3,500 dignity and Mama kits to women and girls in conflict-affected areas (Meme, Manyu, and Fako Divisions).
      • Addressed urgent hygiene and reproductive health needs to preserve dignity and prevent infections among displaced women.
    6. To raise awareness on GBV, sexual and reproductive health, and HIV prevention
      • Carried out community sensitization campaigns to reduce stigma, encourage survivors to seek help, and promote safer sexual and health practices.
    The 2018 UNFPA–LUKMEF project recorded remarkable results despite operating in a volatile humanitarian environment. It successfully mapped 154 GBV service providers across the six divisions of the South-West Region, creating the first comprehensive cartography and referral directory to guide survivor assistance. A regional GBV Task Force was established, fostering coordination among service providers, government institutions, and humanitarian actors. Over 7,089 internally displaced persons (IDPs) benefited from Psychosocial First Aid (PFA), helping survivors manage trauma and regain stability. In addition, 3,500 women and girls received dignity and Mama kits, improving menstrual hygiene and reproductive health conditions. The project also trained community mobilizers on PFA delivery and awareness-raising on GBV and HIV prevention. These interventions enhanced the visibility, collaboration, and responsiveness of GBV actors in the region. Overall, the project strengthened local humanitarian structures, increased survivor access to services, and demonstrated effective community-based resilience within a conflict context.
    The project faced numerous challenges primarily linked to the ongoing conflict in the North-West and South-West regions. Insecurity and mobility restrictions were the greatest obstacles; ghost towns, gun battles, and roadblocks hindered field activities, data collection, and beneficiary outreach. Staff operated in high-risk environments, often dealing with suspicious communities fearful of outsiders. Administrative bottlenecks also slowed implementation some local authorities demanded additional documentation or beneficiary lists, contrary to humanitarian protection standards. Data collection was difficult, as many service providers and survivors hesitated to share accurate information due to mistrust and safety concerns. Taking photos or field evidence was risky and often prohibited. Moreover, the unavailability of NGOs in certain divisions and poor road networks further limited access. Despite these constraints, LUKMEF and its partners demonstrated adaptability and resilience, relying on local focal points, remote coordination, and community radio communication to sustain operations throughout the crisis.
    Key lessons emerged from field implementation under crisis conditions. First, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) interventions are urgently needed in Manyu, where cases of reproductive health complications among displaced women were frequent. The project revealed that effective crowd management such as issuing numbered beneficiary cards before distributions reduces tension and ensures fairness. Communication proved critical: community radio stations like Radio Evangelical in Akwaya successfully reached populations hiding in remote bush areas, demonstrating that local media can play a vital humanitarian role. Cultural insights also surfaced hygiene kits, particularly kettles, were in high demand among all religious groups, not just Muslims, underscoring the importance of culturally sensitive planning. Furthermore, collaboration with traditional leaders and grassroots organizations proved indispensable in gaining trust within conflict-affected communities, highlighting that local ownership enhances both safety and sustainability of interventions.
    The report presents several key recommendations for future programming. It emphasizes the need to update and expand the GBV service provider cartography regularly to ensure data accuracy and improved survivor referrals. Continuous capacity building for service providers is vital training should include new actors, standardize GBV response protocols, and integrate child-focused psychosocial support into PFA tools. The report also calls for the creation of a functional collaboration platform among all service providers, government departments, and humanitarian actors to prevent duplication and enhance information sharing. Increased investment in community sensitization and awareness campaigns is necessary to break the culture of silence surrounding GBV. Furthermore, sustained support to women’s empowerment programs and mobile outreach services will extend coverage to hard-to-reach communities. Overall, the report concludes that sustained partnerships and flexible funding are essential to strengthen resilience, promote gender equality, and ensure comprehensive humanitarian response in conflict-affected areas.

    Success Stories

     

    Grace’s Second Chance: Healing from Trauma in the Midst of Crisis

    When the crisis reached Manyu Division, Grace, a 28-year-old mother of two, fled her village after witnessing violence that left her home in ashes and her family scattered. She found temporary refuge in Mamfe, but the haunting memories and fear made it impossible to sleep or care for her children. Grace was one of thousands reached by LUKMEF’s Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) initiative supported by UNFPA. During a community outreach session, trained field agents gently engaged her, offering a listening ear and emotional first aid. For the first time in months, Grace felt safe enough to speak about her experience. She received counseling, hygiene support through dignity kits, and was referred to a safe space managed by MINPROFF for ongoing care. Within weeks, her anxiety began to ease. She joined a small group of women survivors who shared their stories, rediscovering solidarity and strength. Today, Grace volunteers as a community mobilizer, helping other displaced women overcome fear and stigma. “They taught me to breathe again,” she says, her eyes bright with renewed purpose. Grace’s journey symbolizes the resilience of women reclaiming their dignity even amid chaos  one life restored through compassion and coordinated humanitarian action.

    The Radio of Hope: Reaching Hidden Lives in the Bush

    In Akwaya, where gunfire and fear silenced entire communities, thousands of displaced families took refuge deep in the forests, cut off from services. Traditional outreach was impossible    but hope arrived through Radio Evangelica, a local station supported by LUKMEF’s GBV and awareness campaign. Trained community agents used this small radio platform to broadcast life-saving information on HIV prevention, women’s rights, and where to access psychosocial support. Among those listening was 19-year-old Lydia, a young woman who had fled her village after being assaulted. For weeks she hid in the bush, ashamed and terrified. When she heard the radio message, she walked for hours to reach a nearby safe space in Mamfe. There, she received psychosocial first aid, medical assistance, and dignity kits. “The voice on the radio told me I was not alone,” Lydia recalls. Through local media, LUKMEF turned technology into therapy    connecting the disconnected and giving hope to the forgotten. Radio Evangelica remains a lifeline, echoing messages of strength across the forested silence.

    Dignity Restored: A Kit That Changed More Than Hygiene

    When the LUKMEF team arrived in Meme Division with trucks full of dignity and Mama Kits, few expected how deeply a simple package could transform lives. Among the crowd was Martha, a 35-year-old displaced widow with three daughters. Having fled her burning village, she had lost everything    even basic hygiene items. During the distribution, Martha received her first dignity kit: soap, sanitary pads, underwear, and a small kettle. Holding the kit, tears filled her eyes. “It’s not just soap,” she whispered, “it’s the first time someone thought of me as human again.” Beyond hygiene, the kits became symbols of compassion and self-worth. Many women, like Martha, shared that they could finally move freely without shame or fear. The inclusion of kettles    culturally valued even beyond religious use    demonstrated LUKMEF’s understanding of local needs and customs. That day, over 3,500 women and girls regained a sense of normalcy through these kits. Martha later joined a women’s cooperative supported by LUKMEF, learning small business skills. “They gave me back my dignity    and my courage to start again.”

    Mapping Hope: How One Cartography Connected Survivors to Services

    In the chaos of conflict, many survivors of gender-based violence didn’t know where to seek help. When 22-year-old Felicia was assaulted near Kumba, she was too traumatized to report it. A neighbor eventually guided her to a LUKMEF field officer, who used the newly developed GBV service provider cartography a comprehensive database mapping 154 active service points. Through this system, Felicia was swiftly referred to medical care at the Kumba District Hospital and later received psychosocial counseling through Rescue Women Cameroon (REWOCAM). For the first time, she accessed all the services she needed    health, legal, and emotional    without being lost in bureaucracy. The mapping project created a functional referral network, connecting survivors like Felicia to coordinated, survivor-centered services. “They didn’t just help me heal; they showed me where to find my strength,” Felicia says. Today, she advocates for young women to break the silence around GBV, using her experience as a voice for change.

    Empowering the Protectors: Training Local Heroes in Crisis Response

    Behind every act of healing stood community members who chose courage over fear. Among them was Denis, a 33-year-old youth leader from Fako Division. When the crisis erupted, Denis watched helplessly as families fled, women were assaulted, and communities fractured. Determined to help, he joined LUKMEF’s training on Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) and GBV awareness, supported by UNFPA. The training transformed him into a first responder in his community. Armed with knowledge and empathy, Denis began visiting displaced families, offering emotional support and connecting survivors to medical and legal aid. Despite insecurity, he continued his work, often walking miles during ghost town days to reach those in distress. Through Denis and others like him, over 7,000 individuals received immediate psychosocial care. “We learned that healing starts with listening,” he reflects. His courage embodies the spirit of LUKMEF’s work    empowering ordinary people to become extraordinary agents of hope in extraordinary times.