heavy rain

In recent weeks, relentless heavy rains have devastated Mayo Danay in Cameroon’s Far North region, with Yagoua experiencing the worst of the downpours. The damage is severe: at least ten people have died, entire neighborhoods are submerged, 185 primary schools and 13 high schools are flooded, and over 1,100 livestock have been lost. Residents face extreme hardships, with many struggling to find basic necessities like food and shelter. Litassou Daniel, a local affected by the floods, recounted the dire situation: “The rain hit us in the middle of the night. Our kitchen utensils and livestock are gone. Now, we are in the water, unable to even light a fire.” The humanitarian impact is profound. Over 200,000 people have been affected, and 8,000 homes have been destroyed. Displaced individuals are living in temporary camps outside the city, urgently needing more aid as they have lost everything. Boussate Lydie, a displaced resident, expressed frustration: “We face this flooding threat every year. Our situation never improves. The tents we get don’t last, and we’ve lost livestock and homes. We’re begging the authorities for more help.” Additionally, the floodwaters have destroyed a crucial bridge linking Maga to Yagoua, further isolating some neighborhoods. Cameroonian Minister of Urban Development, Célestine Ketcha Courtes, visited the site to assess the damage and promised immediate action: “The bridge is completely destroyed. We will mobilize companies by Monday to implement a temporary solution to reconnect Maga and ensure better movement for the population.” The government has pledged 350 million CFA francs in aid, though many locals feel this amount is inadequate given the scale of the disaster. For now, canoes are the primary means of transportation, and there are concerns the region could become completely cut off if urgent measures are not taken.