Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to Cameroonian civil society organisations working in Anglophone regions in Cameroon focusing on (1) the needs and empowerment of women and girls, (2) the needs of internally displaced persons, (3) access to education, (4) peace-building, and (5) human rights monitoring.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Over the last three years, we have provided over £20 million in humanitarian support across Cameroon, including the North-West and South-West regions. This funding is providing support to the most vulnerable people to improve food security, healthcare, water access and sanitation. We have also delivered Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programming, with the aim of increasing respect for human rights; including training of human rights monitors and improving the quality of human rights reporting, as well as delivering training to better protect human rights defenders. Finally, we have funded capacity building to enhance the technical skills of women to better participate in peace processes and support survivors of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take steps to support an organised referendum for the people of former British Southern Cameroons on their future national status.

Answered by Vicky Ford

The UK remains concerned about the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, and those affected by the crisis. The UK works closely with international partners and the Government of Cameroon to promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis. It would not be appropriate for the UK to interfere with national civil and democratic processes.