Cameroon

2020 Country Profile

Joined: February 2013

Population: 26.55 million

Nutrition situation

Under five stunting (%) 28.9
Under five overweight (%) 11
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%) 41.4
Under five wasting (%) 4.3
Low birth weight (%) 12
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%) 39.4
Adolescent overweight (%) Male: 7.4 / Female: 17.3
Adult overweight (%) Male: 25.2 / Female: 41.7
Adult obesity (%) Male: 6.1 / Female: 16.5
Adult diabetes (%) Male: 6.6 / Female: 6.9

COVID-19 snapshot

As a result of COVID-19, platform meetings were held less regularly and, where necessary, virtually, and key points are included in the meeting agendas of the Technical Secretariat of the Interministerial Committee on combatting malnutrition. In addition, the continuity of community health and nutrition services is gradually improving.

Institutional transformations 2019-2020

Total weighted
61.5%
2014
23%
2015
40%
2016
40%
2017
33%
2018
54%
2019
Not available
2020
73%

Bringing people together into a shared space for action

The multisectoral platform has been divided into four working subgroups on nutrition (WGN): ANJE, Infant and Young Child Feeding, Integrated Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition, Micronutrients and Emergencies. At the regional level, these WGNs involve the decentralised territorial authorities in the four most affected regions, but the scaling-up and implementation of a multisectoral coordination mechanism are two challenges that remain. Activities take into consideration the following sectors: water, hygiene and sanitation, food security, social welfare, gender equality and the empowerment of women. While the media network has been established, the private sector network remains a challenge.
2014
36%
2015
42%
2016
27%
2017
40%
2018
51%
2019
Not available
2020
67%

Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework

A consultant has been recruited to analyse the inclusion of nutrition in policy. Legislation governing the obligatory standards on the fortification of salt with iodine, edible oils refined with vitamin A, and wheat flour fortified with zinc, vitamin B12 and folic acid, has been developed with all stakeholders – as has the framework law on food safety. Lastly, there have been evaluations of the programmes for the integrated management of acute malnutrition and for profiling mothers with severely malnourished children.
2014
Not available
2015
8%
2016
23%
2017
39%
2018
50%
2019
Not available
2020
61%

Aligning actions around common results

The multisectoral operational plan, with a common results framework, has been reviewed, and joint monitoring of priority actions is being carried out. Studies document the implementation of the plan and capitalise on lessons learned, in order to improve effects on nutrition. Activities carried out are derived from the action plans of each platform evaluated during a workshop in September 2019. A national capacity-building plan, developed with support from the academic platform, is available and currently being implemented. The process of institutionalising SMART surveys is also under way.
2014
4%
2015
8%
2016
8%
2017
26%
2018
21%
2019
Not available
2020
45%

Financial tracking and resource mobilisation

The multisectoral operational plan, with a common results framework, has been reviewed, and joint monitoring of priority actions is being carried out. Studies document the implementation of the plan and capitalise on lessons learned, in order to improve effects on nutrition. Activities carried out are derived from the action plans of each platform evaluated during a workshop in September 2019. A national capacity-building plan, developed with support from the academic platform, is available and currently being implemented. The process of institutionalising SMART surveys is also under way.

2020-2021 Priorities


  • Finalising the assessment and budgeting of the multisectoral operational plan.

  • Organising a national forum on nutrition with a round table on mobilising resources.

  • Supporting the academic platform in finalising curricula on nutrition training and establishing a body of nutritionists in the Cameroonian public service.

  • Strengthening the coordination of nutrition activities at the local level with regional multisectoral platforms.

  • Preparing roadmaps for nutrition ambassadors.

  • Developing the SUN Civil Society Alliance strategy for resource mobilisation.

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Cameroon country profile