Please refer to the attached Infographic.
Torrential rainfall followed by mudslides struck the city of Buea, capital of Cameroon’s SouthWest Region on March 18, 2023. The incident resulted in flash floods, causing extensive damage to property and human casualties in the villages of Bonaberi, Bonalyonga, Babuti, Bova, and Bokwai. OCHA and the cluster members conducted a joint visit to some of the affected localities. A press release by the city mayor on 20th March 2023 stated that the incident had claimed two lives and wounded several others with one person reported missing. According to UNHCR, 1,106 persons from 158 households were reported to be homeless and had lost their livelihoods, including farm produce. 40% of the affected persons were women, 21% were young girls, 19% were young boys, and 30% were men. This number excluded households that suffered from demolishing houses constructed on the waterway.
Flooding can either aggravate or trigger psychosocial distress due to associated socioeconomic losses experienced by affected individuals. It can pose a significant psychological challenge to specific populations like children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, and people with mental health conditions. Affected individuals were noted to manifest symptoms of some mental health conditions like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, grief and suicide ideation.
As a key component of the IASC-MHPSS guideline, the provision of WHO Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the victims in the aftermath of the floods was crucial. Evidence-based protocols, a PFA guide for children, some assessment tools, a community-based MHPSS guidelines and sample referral forms were shared to the MHPSS working group members. A bereavement protocol for children, psychoeducation and remote PSS guidelines were equally shared. A mapping of partners available for specialized mental health services was done. Other cluster coordinators were contacted to know when they would be going to the field to do the distribution of NFIs or other material assistance.
A data-gathering tool was conceived to capture all PSS activities. The infographic in the next page presents the activities carried out.