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minawao camp
minawao camp
CO-BENEFIT FOCUS

Building a Green Refugee Camp with UNHCR

  • Minawao Camp
  • Northern Cameroon
  • 2017

TREES PLANTED

40K

LOCAL JOBS CREATED

175

HECTARES REFORESTED

100

Restoring Land and Communities: Rebuilding Greener Refugee Camps

In 2022, we launched a collaborative reforestation initiative in partnership with the UNHCR, Lutheran World Federation, and Dutch National Postcode Lottery, creating a Green Refugee Camp in Far North Cameroon. Successfully restoring 100 hectares around Minawao Refugee Camp, home to 63,000 refugees escaping violence from Nigeria, the project provides employment, shade, health benefits, and sustenance for hundreds of refugee and local families.

Beyond tree planting, the project replaces wood with locally produced eco-friendly cooking alternatives and swaps plastic tents with sustainable, regionally sourced shelters. Over 32,000 thriving trees in just over a year have revitalized Minawao's ecological balance, turning it green once again.

Nature restoration for better living in Minawao

This initiative not only improves conditions, but also provides support for the future. We empower local communities with the skills necessary for ongoing planting and maintenance through training and job opportunities in the tree nursery. In return, refugees receive regular income and training certificates for their skills. With their help, we have reforested over 100 hectares of severely degraded land.

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Meet the Site

Video

Challenges — Solutions

REFORESTATION FOR BETTER LIVING

Together with refugees and local communities, we have reforested more than 100 hectares of severely degraded land. This project provides jobs, shade, health, and food for hundreds of refugees and local families.

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BEFORE
BEFORE
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AFTER
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AFTER
Andrea Dekrout, Senior Environmental Coordinator UNHCR
PARTNER UNHCR

"Together UNHCR and Land Life are setting a new standard of success for land restoration in refugee settings."

Andrea Dekrout, Senior Environmental Coordinator UNHCR
CO-BENEFITS

Beyond Carbon

CLIMATE

Restoring Minawao's Forest: Mitigating Climate Change

By increasing biomass through consistent reforestation efforts, trees provide shade for refugees in Minawao, protecting soil quality and decreasing temperatures.

BIODIVERSITY

Revitalizing Nature and Supporting Greener Living

We go beyond planting trees. Wood is being replaced as a fuel source with eco-friendly cooking alternatives produced in the camp. Sustainable, locally sourced shelters replace plastic tents.

COMMUNITY

Helping local communities thrive in Minawao Refugee Camp

Providing green alternatives for food, shelter, and work, we are proud to have helped cultivate a welcoming, eco-friendly sanctuary for some of our Earth’s most vulnerable people.

PARTNERS

Who did we work with?

UNHCR United Nations Refugee Agency

Partner- UNHCR United Nations Refugee Agency

UNHCR United Nations Refugee Agency

Dutch National Postcode Lottery

Partner

DUTCH NATIONAL POSTCODE LOTTERY