Over 1,000 Flock To Bamenda Humanitarian Centre For Government Aid

Cross Section Of People In Need Of Assistance At The Center At Up Station 

By Anne-Vallien Berinyuy 

It was in the early hours of  Friday September 11, 2026 when hundreds of people began making their way to the Government Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Centre in at Governor's Junction, Up Station, Bamenda I Sub Division.

By the time the crowd had gathered, more than 1,000 people were reportedly at the centre, all hoping to receive assistance from the government.

Men, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs) Persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable people came looking for food and basic household items.

For many of them, the trip was not simply about collecting relief materials. It was about finding something to take home to families that are struggling to survive, as a result of the Anglophone Crisis.

The large turnout provided another painful picture of the hardship still facing many people in the crisis-hit North West Region.

Years of conflict have left many families without homes, stable incomes, businesses, farms and other means of livelihood. Others have been forced to leave their communities and depend on relatives, well-wishers or humanitarian assistance.

For such families, basic items that many people take for granted can become a serious need.

A bag of rice can mean food for several days. A mattress can provide a displaced family with somewhere to sleep. Soap and other hygiene products can help families maintain basic standards of living.

A centre under pressure

The Bamenda Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Centre headed by Nchofon  Mingoh Frank who doubles as Assistant Divisional Officer for Bamenda I has been one of the government's main points for providing relief to people affected by the crisis.

Established in 2018 by Prime Ministerial order following instructions from President Paul Biya, the centre was created to respond to the emergency needs of populations affected by the crisis.

Over the years, it has distributed both food and non-food items to thousands of beneficiaries.

Figures provided by the centre indicate that more than 250,000 people have benefited from its interventions.The items distributed have included rice, vegetables, cooking oil, sugar and sardines.

Families have also received mattresses, blankets, buckets, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper. Cash assistance has equally been provided to some beneficiaries to help them meet urgent needs.Yet, Friday's massive turnout showed that the need for support remains high.

Mingoh manages the crowd

With more than 1,000 people reportedly gathered at the centre, managing the crowd was not an easy task.Nchofon Mingoh, who heads the centre and also serves as Assistant Divisional Officer for Bamenda I Subdivision, remained engaged with the people as they waited. Mingoh spoke to the crowd and explained the situation to those who had come seeking assistance.

Nchofon Mingoh Addressing The Crowd 

His interaction with the people helped keep the situation calm as they waited for information on the assistance available.For some of those who came hoping to receive relief materials, the explanations helped ease their disappointment.

Not everyone left with assistance, but some said they appreciated the way the coordinator addressed them.

“I am still very satisfied,”

an IDP who was present at the centre said eventhough did not receive assistance on Friday but was satisfied with the explanation given by the coordinator.

 “Though we were not given any assistance today, I am still very satisfied at how the coordinator explained things to us.”

The statement reflects the difficult situation faced by many people who depend on humanitarian assistance.

People who travel to assistance centres often do so with expectations. Some arrive early, spend money on transportation and wait for hours, hoping to return home with food or other items for their families.

When assistance is not available, disappointment can quickly turn into frustration. However, clear communication can therefore make a difference, especially when large numbers of vulnerable people gather at one location.

Behind the numbers are families

The more than 1,000 people who gathered at the centre on Friday are not just a figure. Behind the number are families trying to cope with difficult circumstances. There are parents struggling to put food on the table, displaced people trying to rebuild their lives and vulnerable residents with limited means of meeting their daily needs. The crowd also raises questions about the level of humanitarian need in the region.

Although more than 250,000 people have reportedly benefited from assistance through the centre, the latest turnout suggests that many affected families are still struggling. For some, government assistance remains a lifeline.

The September 11 gathering therefore presents a difficult reality: a government centre that has reportedly assisted more than a quarter of a million people continues to receive large numbers of vulnerable residents seeking help.

For those who stood in the crowd on Friday, the need was immediate and simple, food, household necessities and support to help their families get through another difficult period. The size of the crowd is a reminder that beyond statistics and official intervention figures, there are still thousands of people living with the daily consequences of the crisis and waiting for help.