Adaptation and Survival Strategies of Internally Displaced Anglophones in the West Region of Cameroon, 2016-2022

The socio-political conflict ravaging the North West and South West regions of Cameroon since 2016 instituted an atmosphere of insecurity due to the frequent confrontations between armed separatist’ groups and government security forces. Consequently, many inhabitants were kidnapped; houses burnt to ashes, schools destroyed and some civilians killed, causing the internal displacements of many Anglophones to the West Region for safety and security. Spread in different communities, they were often victims of stigmatisation. It is against this backdrop that the paper explores the various adaptation and survival strategies employed by internally displaced Anglophones to survive in the West region. To sustain this point of view, primary and secondary sources of information were consulted. The study employed the qualitative research design, which required the use of a historical analytical approach for data collection, interpretation and analysis. The data presented chronologically and thematically reveals that displaced Anglophones adopted strategies to deal with issues of habitation, health and food security. They also got involved in income-generating activities in the sectors of agriculture, trade, and transportation for survival. The finding also reveals that some AIDPs received humanitarian assistance from NGOs within the study locale. The study asserts that despite efforts made by these displaced Anglophones to adapt and survive in the region, more is required to ensure the protection of their rights and reintegration into the host communities. Conclusively, the paper calls for the creation of a National Coordination Support Program by the government to empower displaced Anglophones with income-generating activities.