After the Balikumbat-Bambalang inter-tribal clashes that resulted in the lost of lives and the destruction of property worth millions, life is yet to return to normal in Bambalang were there were more victims. As a result of the fighting, more than 1.270 children both in primary and secondary schools lost all their text and exercise books, uniforms and bags. While some 41 children of class six lost their birth certificate. All these made the children to stop going to school and rendered their future bleak. To ensure that the children go back to school and assured hope to the Bambalang victims, Plan Cameroon International last Saturday March 26th offered gifts to the victims. Plan offered FCFA 8.992.000 to ensure that families, especially women and children recover from the clash. The gifts constitute of 1,180 sheets of zinc of 3 meters long for the rehabilitation of houses, the establishment of 41 birth certificates to some class six pupils and the provision of psycho-social support to victims whose houses and properties were looted.
Above al, Plan Cameroon signed a protocol agreement with the community of Bambalang and the Ministry of Social Affairs to guide the implementation and monitoring of the disaster support activities. While signing the convention, Plan Cameroon South Sector Manager, Sawa Fonge Bernadette, said they are out to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to realize their full potential. She said the agreement defined the various roles played by all stakeholders concerned in the Bambalang crises. She said Plan Cameroon’s hope was to contribute to the resettlement of the disaster victims. Bernadette emphasized that the gifts should be distributed judiciously. She appreciated other civil society associations and the administration for their prompt interventions. According to Plan Cameroon Regional Manager, Faison Hilda Ntabe, children are most vulnerable in such crises, as a result, they must be protected and cared for. She also disclosed that the organisation has been working with the Bambalang community since 1996 to better the lives of children. She added that at the moment they are sponsoring 333 children 50 of whom were affected during the crises.
