The Power of the Diaspora. THE PARADIGM SHIFT. Cameroon Launches Emergency Fund for Victims of Separatist Conflict. June 2018

https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/cameroon-launches-emergency-fund-victims-separatist-conflict

"All Cameroonians have been called upon to contribute to the fund."

June 21, 2018   1:56PM Moki Edwin Kindzeka YAOUNDE — Cameroon has launched a multi-million dollar emergency humanitarian assistance plan for hundreds of thousands of its citizens who the government says live in precarious and life-threatening conditions in Cameroon and Nigeria due to the ongoing conflict with armed separatists of Cameroon’s Anglophone regions seeking to break away from the predominantly French-speaking country.  All Cameroonians have been called upon to contribute to the fund. Cameroon Prime Minister Philemon Yang says the $23 million fund was ordered by President Paul Biya after more than a hundred Cameroonians, 84 soldiers and police have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of the country’s citizens now live in precarious and life-threatening conditions. Yang says the fighting has internally displaced 74,000 people who are facing famine along with disastrous health conditions, and that 21,000 others have fled to Nigeria and should be brought back home. "Our emergency humanitarian assistance plan aims at providing emergency humanitarian assistance to affected people; ensuring the socio-economic reintegration of the affected populations; reconstructing destroyed infrastructure, housing, food and basic needs, health care, education.  This action will include assistance and visits to show compassion to Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria," Yang said. The prime minister said people living outside of Cameroon instigate armed youths under the influence of drugs to kill, kidnap and rape, adding that many teenagers have been recruited as child soldiers.  He said famine was looming in English-speaking areas since most farms and cattle ranches had been abandoned, and most businesses closed. Yang said he was counting on government resources and contributions from Cameroonians and the international community to fund the emergency humanitarian assistance plan. Reactions have been varied.  Many people say it is a good initiative to bring back thousands who have fled and reconstruct their destroyed towns and villages. But Father Appolinarius Nkeng of the Catholic Church, who has been providing food aid to displaced populations and is calling for an end to the violence, says the government should first of all call for a cease-fire and initiate dialogue with the armed separatists. "The option and the way out is proper and organized dialogue.  But I think it cannot be done in the manner politicians are talking about. You cannot have unity and peace without justice." Schools have been closed in the English-speaking northwest and southwest areas of Cameroon since November 2016 when lawyers and teachers called for a strike to stop what they see as an overuse of the French language. Separatists took over, calling for the independence of the English-speaking from the French speaking regions.  Cameroon’s government reacted with a crackdown and several dozen leaders of the strike were arrested. Last week, human rights group Amnesty International criticized Cameroon’s government for using what it said was unnecessary and excessive force that frequently placed civilians in the web of violence and desperate conditions.

Situation Awareness. ARC. Disaster Operations Update. October 9, 2018

American Red Cross NHQ NGO/GOV Update Disaster Operations Update - October 9, 2018 Dear Colleague, LINKS Hurricane Florence Partner's Brief Hurricane Michael Partner's Brief Red Cross Weather & Hazard Center Red Cross Tropical Hazard Center Red Cross Mobile Apps  redcross.org National Weather Service JOIN our email list! Send us  your name, organization and email address The American Red Cross is preparing for its second large-scale hurricane relief effort in less than a month as Hurricane Michael moves toward Florida's Gulf Coast. This dangerous storm is still strengthening, and the Red Cross urges people in its path to obey evacuation orders and get ready now. The Red Cross is also working with partners to prepare evacuation centers, trained disaster workers, relief supplies, vehicles and other equipment to help people in the affected area. Right now, more than 500 disaster workers are traveling to the Gulf Coast to help. They will join hundreds of volunteers already on the ground.  To find evacuation shelters in Florida, click here. Click on the map and scroll in to Florida Click on the square shelter icon to find the facility name, address. Navigate the information and if you see "EVAC," it is an evacuation center only.  There is also a list of the evacuation centers and shelters below the map. As people come to the center, you will see daily increases in the numbers at the center. Definition of Evacuation Center: Provides for the immediate needs of disaster survivors, typically for less than 72 hours Provides basic life-sustaining services until the threat has passed, or until shelter residents transfer or transition to a Short-Term Shelter, including: Basic food items or snacks (people are encouraged to bring their own food) Hydration (generally water) Basic medical care Sanitation (restrooms) Disaster-related information Cots are typically not available. People are encouraged to bring sleeping bags, or mats to sleep on. Hurricane Florence Public Story Map We have created the Hurricane Florence Story Map  (Click on this link or copy it into your browser) that can be shared with everyone to provide information about how the American Red Cross is working with partners to support and comfort those affected by the storm. It also provides useful tips about what to do after a disaster and how people can help. This story map can be shared widely. Several important key points to note: Please use Chrome or Firefox when accessing the link The information will be updated every 3-5 days There is a Spanish version that can be accessed in the upper right corner The story is mobile friendly If you have questions about the tool, please reach out to April Wood at April.Wood@redcross.org Situational Awareness Tool IMPORTANT -  Chrome or Firefox are the recommended browsers for this tool As a trusted partner of the American Red Cross, we would like to share our Hurricane Florence Partner's Brief  and Hurricane Michael Partner's Brief (Click on the links or copy into browser) with current information. Please do not share these briefs with the general public. It is designed to help partners  have common situational awareness about emergencies. If you have questions about the tool, please reach out to April Wood at April.Wood@redcross.org. Take Time to Prepare The American Red Cross urges everyone to make sure they are prepared for a disaster and not wait until an emergency occurs and it's too late. People should take steps now to be ready if an emergency occurs. It's critical that all members of one's household know what to do. Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed. American Red Cross | redcross.org You can download the Red Cross Emergency App to have safety information available on your mobile device. If you need to find a shelter or evacuation center, you can visit redcross.org, check the Red Cross Emergency App or call 1-800-768-8048. This all-inclusive app also lets you monitor more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to help keep you and your loved ones safe.  Text "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999 or download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.