Cameroon: High birth rate of Nigerian refugees 'worrying'

Nigerian refugees living in the Minawao camp in northern Cameroon are not deterred by the precarious conditions under which they live.

The birth rate in the camp is so high it has left World Health Organization officials worried, according to local media reports.

The refugees in the Minawao camp are fleeing attacks by the Nigerian Islamist militant group, Boko Haram.

According to local media reports, there are at least 55 births per week in the camp. This is believed to be the average figure of births per week. This figure is however estimated to grow to 500 births per quarter and result in some 2,000 births by the end of the year.

The increase in birth rate has been attributed to the male refugees who have nothing to do all day. It is believed their idleness is a major contributory factor to this trend.

There are therefore suggestions that the refugees be educated on reproductive health issues in a bid to reduce the spate at which the camp’s population is growing.

As at March 2016, the Minawao camp which is near the border with Nigeria is home to some 55,000 people.

The camp has reportedly reached its threshold meaning a new one would have to be built.