{"id":60684,"date":"2026-09-28T14:31:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T14:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?p=60684"},"modified":"2026-09-30T09:24:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T09:24:32","slug":"after-the-flood-before-the-next-storm-cameroon-needs-adaptation-not-an-endless-cycle-of-emergency-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/press\/60684\/after-the-flood-before-the-next-storm-cameroon-needs-adaptation-not-an-endless-cycle-of-emergency-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"After the flood, before the next storm: Cameroon needs adaptation, not an endless cycle of emergency relief"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

28 September 2026, Douala – <\/strong>As Cameroon remains under climate vigilance during the rainy season, Greenpeace Africa is calling for weather warnings to be matched by stronger investment in prevention, adaptation and protection for communities.<\/p>\n\n

The National Observatory on Climate Change (ONACC) issued its latest climate monitoring and warning bulletin for 21\u201330 September<\/a>, following successive alerts throughout the month. Earlier in September, heavy rains flooded several neighbourhoods of Douala, disrupting homes, roads and schools and resulting in at least one death.<\/p>\n\n

Recent events in Limb\u00e9 illustrate the scale of the challenge. Following the deadly floods and landslide of August, the European Union announced emergency humanitarian assistance<\/a> as part of a 154 million FCFA  package responding to flooding in Limb\u00e9 and cholera in the Far North. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cEmergency assistance can make the difference between despair and survival, and we welcome it. But families cannot be left waiting for the next storm to destroy their lives again. Relief must be followed by serious investment in prevention and long-term safety,<\/em><\/strong>\u201d said<\/em><\/strong> Dr Livinus Nchini, Forest Intern at Greenpeace Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The floods in Limb\u00e9 and Douala are not an isolated event. Communities in Maroua, Yaound\u00e9 and other cities in different regions have repeatedly faced death, destroyed properties and economic activities , damaged infrastructure, displacement and increased disease risks.<\/p>\n\n

Cameroon has climate plans and has identified adaptation projects, but protection on the ground remains far below the scale of the danger. The country estimates that more than US$32 billion is needed for adaptation through 2030.<\/p>\n\n

Congo Basin funding must help close this gap. Healthy forests, wetlands and watersheds<\/a> retain water, protect soils and reduce erosion. But forest protection must be combined with functioning drainage, responsible waste management<\/a>, early-warning<\/a> systems, landslide-risk mapping<\/a>, safer construction and better urban planning.<\/p>\n\n

Greenpeace Africa calls on the Government of Cameroon, the EU and other partners to:<\/p>\n\n