Assessing the Effectiveness of Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Role of NGOs in the Cameroon Anglophone Conflict: A Survey of the Affected Communities

Purpose: The Anglophone conflict has attracted interest from different stakeholders around the world, including international and local NGOs that are providing humanitarian and peacebuilding services to the affected communities. Despite their efforts to curb the negative effects of the conflict and improve human security, the situation remains stagnant, despite some relative peace in certain parts of the two regions. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the humanitarian and peacebuilding role of these NGOs in the conflict. Methodology: A quantitative research approach was used in this study. A survey of 639 respondents was conducted using a questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions. The findings revealed that the NGOs humanitarian and peacebuilding role came in the form of providing foodstuffs and healthcare, promoting social cohesion by creating opportunities for re-socialisation, remobilization, recreation, and reintegration in the affected communities. Findings: The findings also revealed that less than half (40.1%) of the affected population benefited from the humanitarian supplies. Also, the majority (62.1%) of those who benefited were females. A greater proportion (36.7%) of the respondents reported that the NGOs delivered humanitarian aid only after two years, meaning they were not regular. The study also revealed a significant difference between North West and South West region respondents’ assessments of NGOs possession of means to address humanitarian and peacebuilding concerns of the affected communities with the Chi-Square test result of c 2 =44.493, df = 3 and P-value <.000. Thereby, rejecting the null hypothesis and accepting the hypothesis. Hence, the NGOs were not effective in their humanitarian and peacebuilding role in the Cameroon Anglophone conflict. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The results of this research do not counter the interdependence or voluntary failure theory since the NGOs could not adequately and effectively play their humanitarian and peacebuilding role in the ongoing conflict. NGOs should also consider empowering members of the affected populations to take care of themselves rather than thinking of continually providing them with their needs which are often insufficient.