(Cameroon) The US Embassy in Cameroon has saluted the voluntary return of the first groups of Central African Republic refugees to their country of origin this week, from Cameroon.
In their Thursday, October 24, press release, the Embassy stated that “On the occasion of United Nations Day, the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon welcomes the voluntary return of the first groups of Central African Republic refugees to their country of origin this week.
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They furthered by congratulating the two governments of the Republic of Cameroon and the Central African Republic as, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for their cooperation and goodwill.
They further stated that the US encourages the “continued adherence to humanitarian norms, particularly the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity, and according to the principles of the Tripartite Agreement of June 29, 2019.
The press release revealed that the United States is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Cameroon, having “contributed over $87 million, (approximately 51.3 billion), since 2018 to humanitarian actors to provide food, water, shelter, and other services benefitting refugees and other vulnerable populations”.
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The US Embassy in Cameroon also stated that they encourage other countries to contribute more to the urgent needs of refugees and vulnerable populations in Cameroon in a way that supports progress toward stability, good governance, and self-reliance.
On Cameroon, they lauded the government for its hospitality, and that of Cameroonians “in continuing to host more than 400,000 refugees from neighboring countries. Protecting the rights of refugees and ensuring they have access to jobs and education for their children is fundamental”.
After the first batch of voluntary returnees back to the Central African Republic, the home and country of origin, others batches are expected to follow suit, going by the Tripartite Agreement of June 29, 2019, between Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
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