By Clementina Njang Yong
In crisis situations, vulnerable people suffer doubly. Living with a disability in the Northwest (NW) Region of Cameroon with the ongoing socio-political crisis is daunting, life-threatening, and sometimes fatal. For the past 8 years since the start of the crisis in 2016, there has been untold misery amongst People with Disabilities (PWDs).
As a Health, Human Rights, and Peace Journalist, I have encountered heart wrenching stories of PWDs. I first got the picture of their predicament painted in 2021 when we visited SAJOCAH Bafut, a rehabilitation center primarily for children with disabilities.
It was a difficult revelation after speaking with Sister Gertrude. She told us that most of the children who were receiving intervention in the communities had died. It was a difficult piece of information that gives just a glimpse of what PWDs go through. These children suffered from different types of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, visual impairment, physically challenged etc. were either left behind by parents who had to flee during attacks in their communities or died in the bush where parents took refuge with them. There is a plethora of adolescents, youths and adults who have also witnessed unforgettable experiences.
Testimonies range from sexual assault, loss of property, loss of family members, stigma and discrimination, difficulty in accessing basic amenities like healthcare, difficulty in accessing centralized humanitarian aid, challenges to escape during crossfires, using public transportation etc.
Testimonies
Emma (not real name) is a 59 years old woman with visual impairment. Emma lost her house through an inferno caused by one of the belligerents. She lost all her property when this happened in Boyo Division. She was unable to rescue anything. She then relocated to Bafang where she was living as an IDP. Due to high rents and her inability to secure a money-generating activity, she returned to Bamenda; NW region. Although she feels “stranded” as an IDP, she is happy to be alive and hustles for her livelihood and that of her 2 children.
Saul, is a 45-year-old man. He walks on crutches. He recalls that blessed day when he was at a busy junction. He was caught in the midst of sporadic gun shots reportedly due to the killing of a soldier earlier. People were blocked and frightened. Saul succeeded to smuggle himself to a social center where he spent the night. The sounds of the gunshots that night still reverberate on his mind. This incidence gradually led to a lockdown and the restriction on the circulation of motor bikes in the city because it is believed that bike riders are often perpetrators of violent acts. This restriction further made things difficult for PWDs who prefer motor bikes as a convenient means over taxis for transportation.
43-years old Paul is visually impaired. Paul has experienced a series of traumatic experiences. His property was burned including his home and belongings. He has spent two unplanned days in an unfamiliar quarter as a result of gunshot attacks that made it impossible for him to go home. Paul has also suffered harassment from armed groups including both the state and non-state armed forces. However, thanks to his politeness, he was never harmed.
PWDs have suffered differently during the crisis while some have suffered attacks that led to incapacitation. Yes, while the crisis brings PWDs untold suffering, it has also made others limbless.
Alan, a 24 years old man now lives with a disability. Abdu’s leg was amputated when he was shot on the leg in 2019 while taking care of cows in the bush. He was later discovered and taken to the hospital. Abdu is now in the West region of Cameroon as an IDP since 2020.
Patrick, is a tall jovial man. In 2018, Patrick was attacked at home in Oku in Bui Division. He had donated blood on the 22nd of August to his sister during delivery, and on the 23rd, assailants visited his home, tagged him a black leg and took him to the forest. He was tortured and his leg shot. He lost so much blood in addition to the blood donation and he went to a coma. His rescuer took him to Oku district hospital where he fortunately came back to life and underwent an amputation. He later relocated to Yaoundé.
These are just two of many people incapacitated in the crisis and are seeking refuge in different regions alongside other displaced PWDs.
International humanitarian law stipulates on “parties to armed conflicts to afford special respect and protection to PWDs and help ensure their inclusion”. This has however not been the case during the crisis in the NW Region of Cameroon. Mr. Chic Sama, Coordinator of the Coordination Unit of the Association of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD) in Bamenda, presents a litany of numerous challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing services. Chick lives with visual impairment. PWDs suffer to access health facilities during lockdown because they cannot walk there. There is Stigma and discrimination especially from Taxi drivers when motor bikes are restricted, their preferred and convenient means of transportation is alarming. To him, the Government can salvage this situation by making Disability Inclusion part of the course in Driving Training Institutions. He also advocates inclusion in community health campaigns.
PWDs do not receive Humanitarian Aid because there is no data about them and also because they are not intentionally mainstreamed in humanitarian activities by humanitarian actors. According Chick Sama, the principle of the “Grand Bargain” of humanitarian law stipulating localization of services is not respected with PWDs missed out. The principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence are not fully respected and PWDs suffer most of the consequences. With regards to the do-no-harm principle, many PWDs have been harmed instead of assisted, he concludes.
Mr. Awa Jacque Chirac is the Project Manager of the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities at the CBC Health Services. He recalls how the Northwest Region started embracing inclusion before the crisis started in 2016. PWDs at the time were involved in gainful economic, microfinance, income generating activities, inclusive education/health, and community awareness creation; recording success stories. In the next 10 years, the NW region was to be a model of an inclusive society. This dream was cut short when the crisis erupted and further portrayed inclusion gaps.
The lack of data, limited knowledge on NGOs, limited assistive devices; etc. serve as barriers to PWDs in receiving basic supplies to IDPs. With increased vulnerability, due to loss of assistive devices/homes, abandonment, displacement, attacks, no access to information etc. PWDs are further neglected. Human rights abuses have increased, perpetrated by both armed groups, with vulnerable people victimized and targeted by abusive fighters where PWDs become helpless and sometimes abused sexually.
In spite of all these, there are expectations that duty bearers will uphold and implement appropriate laws and policies during such desperate times.
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