UN alarmed over high numbers of women, children fleeing Cameroon

UN refugee agency UNHCR said Friday it is increasingly concerned at the plight of women and children fleeing English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria.

"Women and children represent about 80 percent of the approximately 10,000 refugees registered so far in eastern Nigeria's Cross River state," said UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler at a UN briefing.

Thousands more are among the population of unregistered Cameroonians in neighboring states and children make up some 50 percent of those fleeing the mainly French-speaking country.

Some of those fleeing are boys and girls who fled to Nigeria alone.

"Unaccompanied and separated children are particularly affected by difficult access to food and the lack of subsistence opportunities. UNHCR staff have received numerous reports that children have to work or beg to survive or to help their families," said Spindler.

Many children are unable to attend school, as they lack both the time and funds for education. Although schooling in Nigeria is free, there are still some basic costs, such as those for school materials.

UNHCR said it is working with Nigerian authorities to assist with the reunification of separated children with their families and to provide unaccompanied children with protection the basic right of all children to education.

"For women, the lack of work combined with the over-stretched reception facilities, creates a higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence," said Spindler.