Cameroon faces severe food insecurity with over 3 million people affected in 2024 due to conflict and flooding impacting crop production and driving food prices up.
The food security situation in Cameroon as of March 6, 2025, presents serious concerns due to ongoing conflicts and natural disasters impacting agricultural outputs. In 2024, crop production was adversely affected, particularly in northern regions where the harvest of millet and sorghum was completed successfully. However, exceptional flooding in the Far North caused significant agricultural losses, damaging over 85,000 hectares of land and affecting approximately 450,000 people.
Prices for staple foods have seen significant inflation. The National Statistics Institute reported a 7.6 percent inflation rate in 2024, largely attributed to rising food prices. Locally produced maize prices experienced fluctuations throughout the year, peaking at a 15 percent increase towards the end of 2024, while the cost of imported rice has also remained high compared to previous years.
The humanitarian crisis stems from the fact that more than 3 million people in Cameroon, or 11 percent of the population, are facing severe food insecurity. The latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis indicated that this insecurity is exacerbated by ongoing armed conflicts in the Far North, Northwest, and Southwest regions and the devastating flooding in the Far North, which has led to population displacement and agricultural disruptions.
In summary, Cameroon continues to grapple with heightened food insecurity stemming from conflict and environmental challenges. Crop production has suffered due to flooding and ongoing violence, resulting in a significant portion of the population experiencing acute food insecurity. Inflation due to food price increases further complicates the situation, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention and support for affected communities.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
