ADRA Mounts Its Emergency Response to Aid Thousands of Families Displaced by Flooding in Cameroon

Story by Iris Argueta

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding to flooding in Northeast Cameroon, which has affected almost 1,200 households and over 6,000 people.

Flooding is a seasonal phenomenon in Cameroon’s Mayo Danay Division, occurring in conjunction with heavy rainfalls during August and September and affecting 15,000 people annually. These flood disasters transpire when the region's Logone River and Lake Maga overflow due to prolonged heavy rain or storm intensification, resulting in excessive precipitation runoff and a rise in the water table. Heavy rains this year have ruined crops, degraded roads, and submerged houses.

"The inundation is taking a toll on the region. ADRA has activated its National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP) to support the most vulnerable populations," says Billy Andre, ADRA's Africa and Europe emergency response program manager. "We are assessing and coordinating relief operations with church volunteers in the region, local partners, and authorities to provide emergency food assistance to affected households."

ADRA also plans to educate populations in flood-prone areas and collaborate with local institutions to create flood-relief measures. Long-term efforts could involve monitoring existing dikes, constructing storage basins upstream in at-risk areas to counteract water overflow, and enhancing green space with high forest vegetation to reduce flood damage by draining water more effectively.

To learn more about ADRA’s global humanitarian relief efforts or how you can help visit ADRA.org.