This was the last Shelter cluster meeting for the year 2023, and it was a time of reflection and evaluation of the Shelter cluster achievements and challenges and to set up a road map and recommendations for the new year 2024.

1. Caritas Buea to update the cluster on the locations for the NFI distributions in Fako division and the kit content.
2. UNHCR to update data on the 5W tool for the cash for rent and cash for repairs in the NWR, SWR, West, and Littoral.
3. UNHCR to up update planned intervention in Egbekaw on the 5W tool.

• The importance of Needs assessment before any shelter implementation significantly guides response and improves on quality of intervention.
• Coordination with the shelter cluster before implementation ensured efficient and effective response and prevented duplication of assistance.
• It was observed that the time it takes for partners to intervene in an emergency is too long.
• It was also noted that the timing for project implementation concerning seasons greatly affects shelter programming. This is principally because some locations can not be easily accessible during the rainy season and some shelter activities can not be carried out during the rainy season.
• The capacity to respond to emergencies was limited in terms of funding, pre-stocking, and manpower.
• Partners did not coordinate as expected with other partners in the implementation of shelter activities.
• It was also noticed that some partners submitted their 5W data late and the coordination team had to repeatedly remind some partners to update their reports.
• Shelter cluster partners are not able to respond in time to emergencies because of a lack of pre-positioned stocks by partners. This is primarily due to the poor funding situation. The shelter cluster should increase advocacy towards donors, especially concerning Rapid Response mechanisms.
• The cluster achieved better this year due to the coordinated leadership in 2023.
• The tools, contingency planning, guidelines, and standards developed by the shelter cluster were very helpful especially the bill of quantities and due diligence when carrying out rental assistance and repairs.
• The training sessions and capacity-building sessions were so edifying.
• Setting up shelter cluster focal points persons at the divisional level will help in the coordination of shelter activities at the field levels.

•  Network challenges affected the quality of the shelter cluster meetings.
• Some partners never coordinated with the cluster in their implementation of shelter activities.
• Some partners delayed the reporting of their achievements on the 5W tool.
• There was poor use of the harmonized tool put in place by the cluster.
• Participation in the cluster meetings was timid. Only a few partners regularly attended the shelter cluster meetings.

• Share planned activities with locations with all shelter cluster partners monthly to improve coordination with partners and to avoid duplication of assistance.
• Encourage partners to attend the shelter cluster meetings.
• Encourage partners to make use of the tools and resources put in place by the cluster coordination team

SHUMAS

• Carried out rental assistance to 32 vulnerable students in Bamenda.

AWA

• Completed the drafting of the action plan for the year 2024.
• Will carry over the distribution of clothes to 2024.

RAGJ

• Referrals for cash for rent and repairs in partnership with UNHCR in Mezam, Menchum

SIRDEP

• Completed the distribution of the second phase cash for rent in Bamenda II to  60 households in partnership with NRC.

CBC

• Completed the distribution of 650 NFI kits in Jakiri, Nwanti, Mbownso, and Kumbo in partnership with NRC.

COHESODEC

• Completed updates on data for burnt houses in the NWR

INTERSOS

• Followed up with the beneficiaries for rent and repairs in the NWR and the West region
• Plans a PDM for the cash for rent and repairs in the NWR and the West region.

UNHCR

• Shelter/NFI response in cash in partnership with INTERSOS and RAGJ reaching 1555 households in Northwest, Southwest, West, and Littoral regions with rental assistance and 3074 households with NFI in the Northwest, Southwest, West, and Littoral.
• 37 households benefitted from cash for repairs.
• Planned PDM in the West and Littoral.

NRC

• Cash for rent distribution for 3 months in the Northwest and Southwest regions to 120 (60 in NWR and 60 in SWR) Households in partnership with implementing partner SIRDEP.
• The planned distribution of 650 NFI in the SWR

Bamenda UNHCR conference room

• NRC
• SHUMAS
• COHESODEC
• CBC
• IRC
• ASDEPCO
• UNHCR
• INTERSOS
• AWA
• SIRDEP
• RAGJ

Baffoussam

• Rhema care

Online

• CSC
• UNHCR
• CRS
• IOM
• NCA