By NOELA EBOB BISONG
In a unique move, Barrister Agbor Balla’s Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa CHRDA has travelled across towns to meet people in remote areas in its ongoing campaign against the spread of COVID-19 in Cameroon.
With many in urban settings still to come to terms with the reality of the deadly pandemic, the case cannot be different in rural settings in Cameroon, especially areas in the North West and South West Regions, where the four-year Anglophone crisis has literally caught off some areas from other towns and cities of the country.
While hoping to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing combat against the spread of the pandemic, CHRDA recently stormed Manyu Division in the South West Region of Cameroon to donate buckets and soap, in a bid to encourage hand-washing, as a means to fight the coronavirus. At the Bakwelle Village in Eyumojock sub Division of Manyu Division, Sunday, April 5, 2020, CHRDA sensitised villagers on COVID-19 and necessary measures to wipe out the deadly pandemic. The Centre equally donated food items to the villagers, including bags of rice, cartons of g.nut, soap etc.
Having understood the need of good hygienic practices henceforth, villagers of Bakwelle took turns to wash hands with soap and running water. In one voice through a spokesperson, they expressed gratitude to CHRDA for their kind gesture to them.
CHRDA representatives during the campaign reminded the locals that the fight against the spread of the pandemic must be a collective one, calling on all to do their utmost best to remain safe.
The Centre continues to reiterate that it is paramount during this period for people to wash hands with soap and running water, avoid handshake, stay at home, observe social distancing and wear masks.
In one of his most recent outings, CHRDA’s headman, Barrister Agbor Nkongho Felix states that “CAMEROON has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in West and Central Africa. What really happened? Is it due to Administrative recklessness? Failure to close the borders on time? Refusal to Lockdown? Failure to test the high and mighty who came from abroad?
We should collectively fight against the spread of this pandemic. Each and every citizen can play a role. Don’t rely only on the Government.”
The Centre has continued campaigns in other areas in the South West, North West and Centre Regions of Cameroon.