Caritas Cameroon (BASC) was founded in 1971. Today it combines relief and emergency work with long-term development.

Cameroon’s economy is mainly agriculture-driven. However, a drop in world market prices over the past two decades until recently has hit foreign exports and people’s livelihoods – the United Nations estimates that 40 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line.

An example of the work of Caritas Cameroon to help those affected is a community development project in the rural Sanaga district, carried out through its local partner Fondation Ndjeng. The main aims of the project have been to:

• Improve water supplies through building extra distribution points;
• Heighten environmental awareness by protecting water points, forests and land;
• Provide community training in livestock and agriculture.

Cameroon is estimated to host 50,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Conflicts in surrounding countries have caused a surge of refugees, including 50,000 fleeing violence in Chad at the beginning of 2008; between 7,000 and 10,000 of those from Chad took refuge in local Catholic Church sites in the border town of Kousséri.

Caritas Cameroon has created an operational unit to support the local Church in responding to the refugees' needs. An appeal for US$170,000 was launched to meet the immediate needs of the Chadian refugees, and food, soap, blankets, mosquito nets and cooking equipment were distributed. Medical supplies were also made available. Plans were also made to improve buildings and structures such as housing and wells.