Douala – From the 6th to the 12^th November 2023, a total of 178 refugees from the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and French program were picked up from camps to Douala and Yaounde for some activities regarding their resettlement procedures.

Regarding the French refugee program, 107 refugees from the 5^th to the 12^th November were brought to Douala for a selection mission. A team from the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless people (OFPRA) and the Ministry of Interior came from France to interview the refugees and select them based on specific criterias, those who will be resettled in France.

On another hand, the 71 refugees were brought from Camps (Garoua boulai, Lolo, Dompla, Mbaiboum etc.) from the 6^th to the 12th November 2023 to Yaounde to perform health assessment activities prior to their trip.

To achieve all this, an escort team made up of an operational escort constituted by an operational staff and a medical doctor with a driver were designated to leave their duty station for the different camps areas, in the East and Far north regions of Cameroon. The trip is usually divided in two legs which can last for 6 to 7 days depending on the furthest pick up location.

According to Florence Laure GAMGO, IOM Cultural orientation trainer, “Escorting beneficiaries (refugees) from the camps to the city is always a memorable experience. Despite the length of the journey, the refugees are always happy and enthusiastic about the idea of a change of environment that they don't hesitate to comply with the rules laid down as part of the program.”

For the pick-up mission, the first leg is a trip during which the escort team purchases all necessary materials for beneficiaries such as: water, sanitary pad, and diaper. In addition to that, the escort team stops in different hotels where refugees will be accommodated to book rooms and arrange for their feeding. The operational staff also performs phone calls to inform refugees on the arrival of the escort team and advise the refugees on how to prepare for the trip.

During the second leg, refugees are picked up on a specific point, but before getting into the bus, a pre embarkment check is performed by the medical escort. To reach the final destination, the team alongside the refugees had to transit in Ngaoundere, Bertoua and Yaounde. The mission was a success with no major challenge.

For the refugees, it has been a memorable trip with hope of being selected to be restled in their new country.

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For more information, please contact:

• Florence Gambo, IOM Cameroon, Tel: 691777383, Email: fgamgo@iom.int
• Elodie Ndeme Bodolo, IOM Cameroon, Tel: 691638957, Email: endeme@iom.int