Far North Stabilisation: Japan Provides FCFA 1.3 Billion

The government of Japan has agreed to provide 260 million yen, approximately FCFA 1.3 billion funding to improve infrastructure in Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Logone et Chari Divisions in the Far North Region of Cameroon within the framework of the Stabilisation of the Lake Chad Basin Area.  

The Ambassador of Japan to Cameroon, Takaoka Nozomu signed the funding partnership agreement with the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to Cameroon, Jean Luc Stalon at the UNDP head office in Yaounde on February 9, 2022. The funds will finance the UNDP project to provide support in targeted localities of the Far North Region of Cameroon, focusing on the immediate stabilisation in areas cleared of Boko Haram terrorist control. Jean Luc Stalon said during the ceremony that the contribution will allow UNDP in partnership with the government of Cameroon to upscale their activities in support of the population.

On the specific objectives, he said it will contribute to supporting security of the population by helping to deploy more Police and Gendarmes on the ground, support people in terms of livelihood activities and facilitate access to basic services such as education, water and health.  The UNDP Resident Representative believes that stabilisation is the unique instrument for the fight against terrorism. “The military solution alone has its limits. It’s imperative to ensure support to affected populations through access to basic services, revitalisation of local economies, public security and law and order aiming at strengthening the social contract,” he explained.