Cameroon Faces Prolonged Food Crisis Amid Conflict and Drought, Forecasts 1.5–2 Million in Need

The latest UN OCHA update warns that Cameroon will remain in a food‑crisis phase (IPC 3) across the Northwest and Southwest from November 2026 through at least May 2027. Persistent insecurity—kidnappings, displacement and disrupted livelihoods—will limit food and income access, while a reduction in humanitarian aid is expected to widen consumption gaps. A growing share of the worst‑affected households may slip into Emergency (IPC 4) outcomes. In the Far North, main harvests will improve food access but conflict will keep many households in Stressed (IPC 2) status; very poor refugee and displaced families will stay in Crisis (IPC 3). FEWS NET projects that 1.5–1.99 million people, mainly refugees, IDPs and conflict‑affected households, will need food assistance between October 2026 and May 2027, with the March–May 2027 lean season peaking as market dependence rises and food prices soar. In the Far North needs will ease after the main harvest until January 2027, then rise again. Stressed outcomes are expected to persist in Mberé, Kadey and Lom‑et‑Djérem due to CAR refugee pressure, and among poor urban displaced households in Yaoundé and Douala.