Yaoundé – The IOM Chief of Mission in Cameroon Mr. Abdel Rahmane DIOP and the Resident Representative of UNICEF in Cameroon Mrs. Nadine Perrault discussed taking into account the needs of children and youth in the national Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process, during an audience granted by the Coordinator of the National DDR Committee (NDDRC), Mr Francis Faï YENGO. 

In November 2022, a joint NDDRC – IOM – UNICEF assessment was carried out at the DDR transitional centre at Meri as well as other key DDR sites in the Far North region, on the present situation of children's needs. The first draft joint assessment report was then written and was made available for further review by key stakeholders since March 2023. The findings of the joint assessment point to various needs of individual categories of ages and gender who all differ in their reason for association with armed groups, ranging from babies and nursing mothers to young children, children and adolescents. A series of recommendations within the joint assessment were therefore made under the areas of Policy and Coordination, Education, Health, Nutrition, Protection, and Livelihoods. 

During the 26 July meeting between NDDRC, IOM and UNICEF Representatives, the next steps were discussed to better implement the report's recommendations, one of which is the drafting and validation of a Handover Protocol for the treatment and referral of children and youth arriving at the DDR centres, to relevant sectoral sectors, such as the Ministries of Basic Education, Social Affairs, Public Health, Women Empowerment and the Family, Youth and Civic Education.  

The Representatives agreed on the importance of developing a Handover Protocol, following the approach mobilizing all the public authorities and civil society. This document will define the procedures for referring children living in DDR centers to the appropriate local services, as well as the types of assistance they specifically need. In the same vein, the Handover Protocol will provide guidance and further information to persons who respond favorably to the Head of State's call for peace. 

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For more information, please contact Elodie Ndeme Bodolo, IOM Cameroon, Tel: 691638957, Email : endeme@iom.int