WAZA, Cameroon — A severe displacement crisis is unfolding in Cameroon as thousands of residents flee the Far North region following a deadly Boko Haram attack. The violence, which has left at least 15 people dead, has triggered a massive exodus toward border towns, raising urgent fears of an escalating humanitarian catastrophe.
Entire families have been arriving in the town of Waza by truck, motorcycle, tricycle, and on foot, seeking refuge in local schools and public spaces. According to local reports, these thousands of displaced individuals have fled more than 10 villages surrounding the areas of Makary and Medouga. The exodus follows retaliatory attacks allegedly carried out by suspected terrorists in those areas, which left an additional 14 people dead.
Waza has witnessed a massive influx of displaced people since September 17. Community members describe a dire situation on the ground, with families arriving terrified and forced to sleep in the open air without basic security or aid.
“Boko Haram forced us to leave our villages. They come to kill us and take our belongings,” said one displaced resident. “We are overwhelmed to the point that we have to guard the village from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.”
The humanitarian conditions are rapidly deteriorating. Displaced families report that they have neither been approached nor assisted by local authorities since their arrival. Women and children have reportedly gone days without sustenance.
“There are thousands of children and women who have been here since Thursday until today, Sunday. They have had nothing to eat or drink and have received no support from the state. We have no food and no water,” stated a community advocate among the displaced.
A local health official confirmed the grim conditions, noting that the arrivals abandoned their villages and all their belongings in a state of panic. The official emphasized that the displaced populations are currently sleeping in the open air without any security or food assistance at their current shelter locations. Additionally, more than 300 displaced people were reported to have arrived in the city of Maroua overnight, further stretching local resources.
In response to the escalating emergency, crisis meetings have been underway since Monday morning within the offices of the governor of the Far North region. These high-level discussions are focused on determining and deploying an immediate emergency response to address the growing needs of the displaced populations and to prevent the situation from evolving into a full-scale humanitarian disaster.
As the regional government deliberates on urgent interventions, thousands of Cameroonians remain in limbo, awaiting critical state support and basic humanitarian aid.
