Cameroon (Minawao Refugee Camp)

In 2018, escalating violence in neighbouring countries forced thousands of refugees into Cameroon, intensifying pressure on the country’s already limited resources. Cameroon now shelters over 425,500 refugees. The Minawao refugee camp, originally built for 15,000 people, now accommodates 63,000, far exceeding its capacity. This population surge has strained resources such as water, firewood, and arable land, creating severe environmental and social challenges.

One critical issue is deforestation in the nearby Zamay Forest Reserve, where refugees have cut down trees, some considered sacred by local communities, to meet their basic needs for shelter and fuel. This has not only degraded the environment but also disrupted the cultural and spiritual significance of these resources. In neighbouring communities like Gawar, families face worsening firewood shortages and dwindling supplies of traditional thatching materials, essential for their livelihoods.

The strain on natural resources has heightened tensions between refugees and host communities, sparking concern among locals and the government. To address these intertwined challenges, the Green Refugee Camp model was introduced as a holistic solution. By integrating sustainable practices, this approach aims to meet immediate humanitarian needs while preserving the environment and fostering peaceful coexistence between refugees and their hosts.

In 2017, UNHCR, and Land Life Company partnered to transform Minawao Refugee Camp into a Green Refugee Camp, blending sustainable practices to meet the needs of displaced populations while restoring the environment.

This initiative includes:

• Environmentally Sustainable Shelters – Local, eco-friendly materials were used to build durable shelters, reducing carbon footprints and offering refugees secure, comfortable homes. while minimizes environmental impact
• Sustainable Cooking Alternatives – The introduction of energy-efficient stoves and sustainable briquette production reduced wood consumption, improved health by cutting down harmful smoke, and saved time for refugees. A “train-the-trainers” model helped ensure long-term adoption.
• Reforestation and Education – Thousands of trees have been planted using innovative Cocoon technology, which conserves water and increases survival rates. This has restored hectares of arid land, created new green spaces, and provided shade, firewood, and livelihood opportunities. Within camps and villages, these efforts have included environmental education and community involvement, giving children and young people valuable learning opportunities while promoting sustainable practices.

The Green Refugee Camp Extra Project (2017–2018) delivered remarkable results, fostering hope and sustainability for both people and the planet. It introduced scalable models to reduce the environmental footprint of humanitarian efforts and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Pillar 1: Environmentally Sustainable Shelters

The project improved living conditions for 30,277 refugees. Over 5,217 families received sustainable shelter kits, while 2,352 families repaired weather-damaged shelters. Local production enabled the construction of essential community infrastructure, including classrooms, a community center, a nursery, and a police station.

Pillar 2: Sustainable Cooking Alternatives

Eco-friendly stoves were provided to 9,345 households, benefitting 37,380 individuals. Training sessions educated 3,000 refugees and host community members on building and using energy-efficient stoves. Additionally, 150 women learned to construct improved traditional stoves, ensuring the continuity of these sustainable practices.

Pillar 3: Environmental Protection Through Reforestation and Education

The project planted 38,731 trees, established 12 school nature clubs to care for trees and teach environmental stewardship, and reached 25,000 people through an awareness campaign. Three tree nurseries were also created to support reforestation efforts.

Tangible Environmental Impacts: The project introduced locally and sustainably sourced goods, reduced the carbon footprint of UNHCR materials, and implemented Cocoon technology to conserve water and increase tree survival rates.

Tangible Health and Well-Being Impacts: Benefits included fostering community bonds through education and action, reducing harmful gases from wood-burning stoves, eliminating long and dangerous walks for firewood, and improving mental health by greening the camp.

The project brought new tools to address technical and political challenges, enhanced the sustainability of UNHCR operations, and demonstrated immense potential for scalability and expansion.