CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Food Security is an observable phenomenon which took precedence since the end of the World Wars in 1945 and has drawn the attention of government and Organizations (Gobvu, 2015).ideally the state is the major actor in improving food security in the country.  However, state -led development approaches through the cause of 1970s and 1980s largely failed and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) became actively involved in service delivery, advocacy and community empowerment (Abdulkadir, 2019).

 NGOs have played a central role in improving the lives of the marginalized communities (Dube, 2021).   They  have long been seen as a solution to Food  insecurity as they play an   important role in supporting the poor in their efforts to address the cause/effect of food insecurity which  has become a scourge greatly affecting the world and efforts to mitigate it seems to remain fruitless and population been displaced are affected the most  (Chawarika, 2016).

 Throughout the 1980s with the introduction of global and national economic growth, increased attention was paid to the potential role in pioneering the engagement of food security and making sure those food security initiatives among vulnerable are successful with food base approach as their main goal (Gobvu, 2015).  Food security is  defined  by  the United Nation committee on World Food Security as when,  all people and at all times have physical, economic and  social access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food  that meets their food preference  and dietary needs for an active and healthy life (World food summit, 1996).

In the past decade, internal displacement  has been a particular  and growing concern in Africa and many part of the world, as they created many complex challenges.internal displacement  very offen massive, unexpected, and generally caused by arm conflict, human right violation, environmental degradation, have jeopardized the survival of many. Internal displacement leads to food insecurity and a high rate of acute malnutrition. Communities who suffered consecutive years of severe drought lost their productive assets, such as homes, their children, domestic animals, and crops. This humanitarian crisis disrupted vulnerable households’ access to food and livelihood activities by worsening food insecurity and malnutrition conditions in the country (Yigzaw et al,2019).

 The ability to attain food security entails issues of availability, accessibility, affordability and Stability. Food security entails availability of nutritious food in the relevant vicinity of a population during a given period or the population’s ability to acquire available food during a given period (Muoko, 2010). The right to food is  enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25), drafted in 1948, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, or ICESCR (Article 11), drafted in 1966. The World Food Summit, held in Rome in 1996, reaffirmed the right to food and the right to freedom from hunger and malnutrition. Since then, human rights have become an increasingly important rallying call in the global fight against hunger. By the late 1990s, the World Food Programme (WFP) and many of the non-governmental organizations active in food security had begun to adopt a rights-based approach (Maxwel et al, 2007).

It is assumed that these organizations have the potential to reach the poorest people in the community as a result; they are better able to design and implement effective interventions. It is these same arguments that have made NGOs so popular, especially in developing countries (Nyamu, 2003 ). This gives them a heightened awareness of local conditions. Some interventions on improving food security have focused on food security projects, social assistance programmes, emergency relief assistance programme, agricultural production, and securing lands by both developed and developing countries (Chitiga et al, 2013).

In Africa, Approximately 282 million people are undernourished (relief web, 2022). The complexity of the food insecurity facing sub-Saharan Africa is compounded by the reality that many of these countries are experiencing or recovering from protracted crisis.  The consequences of the conflict are enormous. In addition to loss of life and destruction of livelihoods, conflict has a major impact on the economy and food security (Wairimu, 2014). NGOs have become key actors in responding to these issues as they emerged with a long term programs which ensured growth and development in countries. They have become increasingly important partner in addressing development issue (Mathews, 2017). They have been keys in enhancing development and security in conflict areas. NGOs such as Doctors without Border and Oxfam have been key  relief agencies where government has been unable to meet the food security of its citizens. Oxfam provided livelihoods and clean drinking water in South Sudan (Kaanto, 2020).

In Cameroon, as in many other countries, Non-Governmental Organizations are increasingly viewed as critical contributors to economic growth and provision of infrastructures. The result of March 2023 Cadre Harmonise analysis indicates that 3milliom people in the North West, South West and Far North are facing acute food insecurities (OCHA, 2023). IDPs immediately become reliant on others for basic needs such as shelter, food, and water. At the same time, their vulnerability may be intensified by barriers to accessing health care, education, employment, economic activities, and electoral politics in their areas of displacement. The longer displacement continues, the greater social structures break down, leaving IDPs dependent on outside aid and vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation. Such dependency, in turn, reduces the chances of durable solutions (Alobo, E. & Obaji, S, 2016). NGOs were instrumental in improving their strategies in providing support for people affected by arm conflict in the North- West and South -West region of Cameroon.  Some contributed massively in providing medical care espercially for women and children ( International Monetary Fund, 2004).

NGOs are regarded as partners in nation building and development because they complement government efforts to improve livelihood of local communities and contribute to poverty eradication.  The United Nations World Food Programme is the world largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. Their mission is to help the world achieve zero hunger. Center for Community Regeneration and Development –Cameroon aimed at fostering the social and economic empowerment of marginalized and disadvantaged children. Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) Is a nonprofit Cameroonian conservation organization. That has significantly contributed towards promoting environmental education, as well as empowering rural communities through livelihood development programs and lastly food and agricultural organization main goal is the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all. These organizations among others have been working with IDPs in Buea to help improve on their food security .

 1.2 Statement of Problem

The on-going socio-political crisis in Cameroon has led to displacement of people which have ruined and exposed them to intense vulnerability.  The Northwest and Southwest regions which were once considered the country’s food basket have experienced higher levels of food insecurity among displaced persons. The battle for survival for most is on daily bases, given that they do not have sustainable source of livelihood, so their food security mainly depends on daily wedges and humanitarian assistance which is not sufficient.

This displacement has a direct impact on IDPs’ economic status. The impacts of internal displacement on their livelihood have a repercussion on their social life, health, and education. These repercussions in turn ripple back to affect the food security of IDPs. A majority of them lack money to feed themselves and others are dependent. While in these places they face a lot of challenges and food insecurity is one of them and because of an increase in food insecurity, it has led to the proliferation of diseases.  As a result, some of them fall sick while others are malnourish. International bodies and NGOs in different areas have been assisting IDPs with aid assistance and trainings to improve on their food security, but food security did not show any improvement. it makes one wonder  if their intervention is worth scale up as a success story. That is why the study seeks to specifically find out their intervention measures used in  enhancing food security, and the impact of their intervention to the socio-economic wellbeing of   displaced persons and investigate the challenges faced by these NGOs in enhancing food security to IDPs and propose possible solutions through best practice

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1 Main Objective

The main objective of this study is to examine the role of selected NGOs in enhancing food security to internally displaced persons in Buea Municipality.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1. To identify the various measures use by NGOs to enhance food security among Internally Displaced Persons in Buea.
2. To examine the impact or contributions NGOs intervention to the socio-economic wellbeing of   displaced persons.
3. To investigate the challenges faced by these NGOs in enhancing food security to IDPs in Buea and propose possible solutions through best practice.

1.4 Research Questions

This research seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What intervention measures have been put in place by non-governmental organizations to enhance food security to the internally displaced persons in Buea Municipality?
2. What are NGOs contributions to the socio-economic wellbeing of displaced persons?
3. What are the challenges faced by these NGOs in enhancing food security to IDPs in Buea Municipality and what are the possible   ways to improve on its measures?