VIDEO: Inside Cameroon’s ‘red zone’

One by one, in a steady line, carrying their belongings in bundled “loads” on their heads, men, women, girls and boys, make the arduous climb into the surrounding mountains to sleep. It’s a daunting scene and even more poignant knowing this procession happens every day, starting around 3 pm. They must be gone from their homes before nightfall.

In the Far North region of Cameroon (No. 43 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List), the infamous Islamic extremist group Boko Haram attacks at will, killing people, looting homes, and burning churches, fields and schools. One villager estimates that the terrorist group has destroyed 13 villages, 22 churches, 15 public schools and five parent-led schools.

This area of the central African country is a repeated target and remains so vulnerable for attack that it has been designated as a “red zone.” No one knows when Boko Haram will attack after the sun sets. That’s why every day they leave their homes for safety. They call it the “trek.”

The government has advised the villagers to leave, but they are all subsistence farmers. The land is their livelihood and means of survival—and they can’t leave it.

Recently, a small Open Doors team was able to visit a village in the region and capture video and interviews with Christians like Ali (name changed for security).

“We don’t dare sleep at home,” he says. “More than once, I came back from the mountain to find that they had stolen everything,” he says. “

Watch what’s happening in Cameroon’s Far North region

Because of your support, our teams were able to travel to this remote area and bring 366 relief aid parcels, including food and essential living supplies. Many have also received Open Doors-supported trauma care, and the affected communities are visited often.

“[Open Doors is] very different from other organizations,” says Pastor Moustafa*, a Christian who was forced to leave his village but still returns frequently. “You come to us, the IDPs. You sit on the mat or even on the ground with the refugee. You cry with the orphans. You listen to the widows and cry with them. You go to the hospital and visit the wounded. You pray with us and you pray for us.

“Then, after you’ve discussed it with God, you bring your help. What you are doing is a blessing of the Lord for us. You have shared in our sufferings. Our people know that outsiders care for them. We are no longer alone in this suffering. Thank you for all your support.”

Please watch the video and pray with your Cameroon family:

Pray for the violence—especially in the Far North region—to end. Ask God to bring about a peace only He can create.
Ask God to help the victims of violence find comfort and restoration. Pray they would know God is a healing Father who walks alongside them.
Pray that God would make the church in Cameroon a place of peace, hope and stability in a country with growing insecurity and violence.

Dear Father, we lift up our brothers and sisters who risk so much to follow You in Cameroon. We pray for those in the Far North region who live under the constant risk of violence—please protect our sisters from sexual violence and abduction and our brothers from attacks and death. We ask You to bring about a change in the hearts of the militants, that even members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State group would see the truth of Jesus' love and hope. Please pour Your hope and comfort on all of Your children affected by violence and pressure. In Jesus' name, Amen.

VIDEO: Inside Cameroon’s ‘red zone’

Related Articles

Recommended Articles