Cameroon's Far North grapples with severe flooding, disrupted daily life

Nearly a month after torrential rains hit Cameroon's Far North province, the town of Yagoua remains largely submerged, with residents struggling to cope with the persistent flooding.

The flooding caused by weeks of heavy rainfall has displaced thousands of families and destroyed swathes of farmland.

Local authorities in the Far North have launched an emergency flood appeal.

"There's no way for the water to get out. So the water is at the same level, even if you try hard to get it out, it always comes back to the same place. So we've been in water for three weeks, as you can see. Even in the kitchen there's water, so we can't put anything on the fire. For those who don't have a fence, the water level carries everything away, even the pots," said Vougsouna Robert, a victim.

The floods have rendered many roads impassable, forcing residents to rely on small boats, known locally as pirogues, for transportation.

A key bridge connecting the city's main districts has collapsed, further complicating movement.

The natural disaster also disrupted learning, as dozens of schools are unable to reopen. With the start of a new school year, pupils have been moved to the schools that are still functioning.

The prefect of the Mayo-Danay division, Jean Lazare Ndongo, said that they are taking measures to ensure the safety of the pupils who have to cross to the other side where their schools are.

Students now face a challenging daily commute, often involving truck rides followed by boat crossings to reach their schools.

"The tarmac has given way to water, and wherever you see the vessels going by, that's where the main road is. We do our best to cross these tides of water to get to our places of service. It's not easy but as it's back to school we have no choice. We have to go and look after our children and little brothers on the other side," said Fawa Jean Jacque, a teacher.

In the meantime, resettlement sites are being created for families who have lost their homes.

Cameroon's Far North grapples with severe flooding, disrupted daily life

The second Global South Think Tanks Dialog is set to start on Thursday in Nanjing City of east China's Jiangsu Province, aiming to address pressing global issues and amplify the collective voice of Global South countries in international affairs.

The event, themed "Global South: Equality, Openness, and Cooperation," gathers think tanks from around 100 countries and regions, along with Chinese universities and research centers.

Jin Xin, Director of the Research Office of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), highlights that although the rise of the Global South has reshaped the global political and economic landscape, these countries remain underrepresented in international politics.

"The Global South accounts for more than 40 percent of the world's economy, and the contribution rate of the Global South to global economic growth has exceeded 80 percent in the past 20 years. However, its influence in international political discourse is still not enough. Global South countries are no longer the silent majority. All countries in the Global South have a strong urge to speak with a unified voice to express their common aspirations and enhance their representation and right to speak in global affairs," said Jin.

Global South Think Tanks Dialog to open in Nanjing