In the heart socio-political crisis in Cameroon, particularly in the North West and South West Regions, the humanitarian landscape is faced with challenges. For over eight years, the conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon has left countless individuals feeling hopeless, vulnerable, and displaced. Accessing communities that are in dire need of assistance has become increasingly difficult, especially in areas designated as red zones.
In light of these challenges, Community Initiative For Sustainable Development (COMINSUD), a non-governmental development organization based in Bamenda, took a significant step towards empowering its staff to navigate these complex situations. On March 28, 2025, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) organized a comprehensive training session for COMINSUD staff focused on Humanitarian Access, facilitated by Tobin Thomas Tangwa, Access, Safety, and Security Officer from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).
The workshop was designed to equip COMINSUD staff for the DRC First Line Local Assistance for Swift Humanitarian Response (FLASH) project with essential skills and knowledge necessary for negotiating access to communities in conflict-affected areas, especially the project implementation areas, Momo and Bui Divisions of the North West Region. The facilitator provided insights into the holistic access response framework, emphasizing its importance in response planning and the critical role of principled humanitarian action.
Participants were engaged in discussions about the various access constraints present in conflict zones, with a focus on identifying and addressing these barriers in a principled manner. Tobin Tangwa stressed that successful access negotiations should involve the entire humanitarian community; if only one organization is able to reach a community, it signifies a failure in collective negotiation efforts. He added that “The responsibility for access is shared by everyone,” and “Every action taken by staff contributes to access, overall help in assisting those in need.”
Throughout the session, the COMINSUD staff were reminded on essential humanitarian principles that guide their work:
1. Humanity – Prioritizing the welfare and dignity of individuals in need.
2. Neutrality – Providing assistance without taking sides in hostilities.
3. Impartiality – Offering aid based solely on need, without discrimination.
4. Independence – Ensuring that humanitarian action is autonomous from political, economic, or military agendas.
5. Do No Harm – Instituting measures to safeguard affected populations and avoid exacerbating the situation.
With these principles as the foundation of their operations, COMINSUD staff left the training better equipped to navigate the complexities of the humanitarian landscape in Cameroon, particularly as they prepare to implement the FLASH project aimed at providing swift local assistance in critical times. COMINSUD commitments to not only respond to the immediate needs of communities but also to enhance the capacity of its staff to engage effectively in humanitarian efforts while embracing a collaborative approach. Together, as a humanitarian family, the organization strives to create a sustainable impact for those facing adversity in our communities.
Community Initiative for Sustainable Development 