On Friday, the 23rd of September, the Shelter Cluster Coordinator for NWSW called for an ad-hoc Shelter Cluster meeting to consult with Shelter Cluster partners on the priorities for an announced allocation of CERF funding. Discussions at National level indicated that Cameroon would be receiving $6 million USD with about 15% of the allocation available for the Shelter sector ($1.2 million USD). This allocation can be shared with the emergency in the Far North. The final allocation is pending confirmation from the Humanitarian Country Team. While the decision is pending, the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss priority activities and priority geographical locations. 

Partners were reminded that the activities should have a close link with protection including mitigating the risks of gender-based violence and response to those who are victims of gender-based violence, and targeting those with protection vulnerabilities such as elderly and disabled. The Shelter Cluster Coordinator will also share this consultation with the Protection Cluster Coordinator to seek their guidance to ensure that their strategies are aligned. 

The NWSW Shelter Cluster Coordinator explained that the CERF funding was only to be received by UN agencies, but that UN agencies were encouraged to work closely with local partners. 

Activity Priorities

• Returnees who find their houses damaged and are staying in inadequate shelter; Returnees are also finding upon return that basic NFI items are missing= Cash for Repair/Shelter Kits, and NFI kit distribution
• Mattress Distribution for GBV victims and victims of Protection Incidents
• Emergency Shelter Kit but also ensuring cash distribution to top-up beneficiairies who did not receive all required items 
• Cash for Rent to help those in overcrowded shelters to move to better accommodation as GBV risk mitigation
• Those with disabilities could also have support with cash for rent as they are also vulnerable victims to gender-based violence. 
• In terms of modalities, cash can be used where markets are accessible to cover shelter needs. The OCHA MSNA will complement the Shelter Cluster's price monitoring to help us in identifying which modalities are most appropriate as not all markets have the required supply to support particularly in the area of shelter.

Geographical Prioritization

• Fungom in Menchum division, Mezam, Momo, Boyo (central Bolo), Ngo-Ketunijia, Bui (COHESODEC mentioned that they documented 100 households whose homes were burnt and people in need of NFIs), Fako (Limbe 2 subdivision in one village high needs for cash for rent), Manyu (Tinto subdivision where GCR reported 20 burnt homes) 
• The Shelter Cluster Coordinator also encouraged partners to consider that there may be needs that we could target in the West and Littoral regions for IDPs which have received only a bit of Shelter/NFI assistance in 2022. SHUMAS confirmed that they have provided mattresses to those sharing 10 people to a mattress mentioning the many overcrowded rooms which indicates a risk of GBV.

Caritas, CUAPWD, FGI, GCR, IRC, Plan International, NRC, UNHCR, SHUMAS, WESAD