Disputes between herders, fishermen and farmers in the far north of Cameroon displaced at least 100,000 people in the past two weeks, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.
The UNHCR estimates that 85,000 people fled to neighboring Chad in recent days, with the vast majority being children and 98% of the adults being women, UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters.
“Refugees are in dire need of shelter, blankets, mats and hygienic kits. Some are being generously hosted by local communities, but most are still sleeping in the open and under trees”, Saltmarsh added.
Competition over dwindling water resources, which was further exacerbated by climate change, triggered clashes between herders, fishermen and farmers in early December, the UNHCR said.
44 people were killed in the violence, and 111 were injured.
The UNHCR and Cameroonian authorities organized a reconciliation forum in early December for community representatives committed to ending the violence.
But despite fewer incidents being reported during the past week, the UNHCR says tensions remain high.
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