We work with the government and partners in Cameroon and countries across Africa to deliver vital charity work and make sure everyone can claim their rights.
Sightsavers in Cameroon
Cameroon is located on the Gulf of Guinea, between west and central Africa. It has rich natural resources, and is home to many diverse ethnic groups.
The country’s ministry of health is making progress to improve public health care and achieve universal health coverage by 2035. Yet there are still significant shortages of qualified staff and essential medicines, and it can be hard for people living in rural areas to access health care.
Five neglected tropical diseases are endemic in Cameroon, putting many people at risk of illness and disability. Successful treatment campaigns and social programmes are helping to control these debilitating diseases.
Cameroon’s constitution protects the rights of all citizens, but many people with disabilities still face social exclusion and may have difficulty accessing health care services. In particular, people with disabilities are often excluded from key decision-making roles and are not represented in Cameroonian political life.
Facts about Cameroon
- Population: 30 million
- Capital: Yaounde
- Official languages: French, English
- Human development index (HDI) ranking: 151 (medium)
A scenic landscape in Cameroon showing a lush river with vegetation and trees either side.
What are the challenges in Cameroon, and how can these be addressed?
Infectious diseases
People in Cameroon are at a high risk of contracting diseases such as trachoma or intestinal worms.
Five tropical diseases that can be prevented with medication are endemic in Cameroon, putting millions of people at risk of illness and disability. Our work on neglected tropical diseases in Cameroon focuses on eliminating trachoma and protecting children from intestinal worms.
Inclusion and equality
Not everyone in Cameroon can claim their human rights.
People with disabilities in the country often face stigma and discrimination in society, which can prevent them going to school, finding work or voting in elections. Our charity work on disability rights in Cameroon focuses on improving opportunities for everyone.
Mdelle Makoge wearing a Sightsavers lanyard, standing outside in Cameroon.
“After taking the deworming treatment, children who were usually absent in school because of the infections can now go to school the whole year.”
Makoge, Sightsavers’ programme officer in Cameroon
How you can help
Our work in Cameroon is helping to protect people from painful diseases, but there’s still more we need to do.
With your support, we want to eliminate infectious diseases such as blinding trachoma and ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in society. To do this, we need your help.
Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our programmes in Cameroon. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.
Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in Cameroon, would like details about our programmes or wish to discuss ways you can donate or support us, email [email protected]
Latest stories from Cameroon
How we’re transforming political participation in Cameroon and Senegal
Sightsavers’ Laurène Leclercq shares successes from an award-winning project in Cameroon and Senegal that’s supporting people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of political life.
Laurène Leclercq, March 2023
Sightsavers wins Zero Project award for work on political participation
The prize was awarded for our inclusion project which promotes the rights of people with disabilities to participate in civic and political life in Cameroon and Senegal.
December 2022
We are… promoting inclusive elections
We’re working with partners in Cameroon and Senegal to ensure people with disabilities are able to take part in every stage of the political process.
Sightsavers’ deworming work receives extra funding to reach millions of children
Charity evaluator GiveWell has provided a further US$7.8 million to fight intestinal worms and schistosomiasis in Nigeria and Cameroon.
March 2022
Cameroon approves landmark disability legislation
Cameroon has become the second African country to begin to ratify the African Disability Protocol, which addresses unique issues that affect people with disabilities in African countries.
February 2022
“I don’t have a tummy ache any more!”
Hear first-hand how Sightsavers is working with GiveWell to control intestinal worms and schistosomiasis, two devastating diseases that affect thousands of children in Cameroon.
November 2021
Discover where Sightsavers works in Africa and Asia
Where we work