Interview Insights: Hands-on with ICENECDEV in Cameroon
Covid-19 Waste Aid Campaign
Written by Forbi Perise
For over four years, the International Center For Environmental Education and Community Development(ICENECDEV) in Cameroon has been working on combating plastic pollution along the west coast of Cameroon. Plastic pollution is a huge problem in Cameroon, as it is in most parts of the world.
With over 26 million people, the amount of plastic dumped into local waterways, especially in urban areas, is enormous. Fortunately, individuals and organizations have identified this problem and are making considerable contributions. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like the International Center for Environmental Education and Community Development(ICENECDEV), things are beginning to change.
In 2016, ICENECDEV joined forces with the United Nations Environment Program(UNEP) to combat marine plastic pollution and micro plastic; this was just the reflection of the longtime passion of Fongoh Eric, who co-founded ICENECDEV.
Fongoh Eric has been a geography teacher and an environmental educator for more than 15 years. He has witnessed the drastic changes that have occurred to our oceans due to plastic pollution. His passion was inspired as a result of his numerous field trips to beaches with his students and also due to his participation in the resolution 2/11 of the United Nations Environment Assembly(UNEA2).
Eric doesn’t work in isolation in his fight against plastic pollution. He collaborates with Cameroon’s Ministry of Environment, HYSACAM (national hygiene and sanitation company), and a host of other organizations.
“We can make a significant impact on the oceans’ health by joining forces.” — Fongoh
ICENECDEV has worked with waste pickers on several occasions during their beach cleanups and community Campaigns. Though waste pickers depend on their activity for daily income, their role is far reaching. They provide situational reports to community management and local government on state of hygiene and sanitation within their communities, in addition to tons of waste they divert from the ocean. To Fongoh Eric, waste pickers don’t just collect waste. Fongoh explains:
“Waste pickers have lots of knowledge on the source of the plastic waste and the impact on fishing, food systems and human health and are committed in plastic waste collection”
Unfortunately, waste pickers in Cameroon have their source of income greatly affected by the Corona virus Pandemic. They are unable to carry out their activities normally as before. COVID-19 has affected their livelihood and the health of their families. They have taken measures to reduce exposure to Covid-19, while trying to motivate themselves to continue collecting plastic waste.
Over a year back, while searching for organisation working actively to reduce plastic pollution, ICENECDEV got in touch with Empower.
The ICENECDEV team got to learn about a new approach on plastic collection and blockchain model, this supported ICENECDEV project to combat plastic pollution along the west coast of Cameroon. ICENECDEV’s partnership with Empower has been very productive and result oriented with the mobilisation of more than 200 community members including waste pickers actively involved in the Plastic Collection campaign along the West Coast of Cameroon. Fongoh:
“Waste pickers need support during this period, not only to continue collecting waste but also to provide the essentials for their families”
Despite the shortcomings and the challenges of the moment, ICENECDEV hopes to achieve a lot while working in partnership with Empower: Supporting waste pickers, establishing a network to combat ocean plastic, collecting and recycling over 10,000 kg of plastic. By joining forces, a significant impact on the oceans’ health can be attained. Going forward, Empower has launched the COVID 19 waste pickers aid Campaign and hopes to collaborate with ICENECDEV to provide the much needed support to waste pickers in Cameroon.
Article was written by Empower’s summer intern, Forbi Perise, a 23yrs old Cameroonian. Forbi is an environmental education & oceans activist and community volunteer. He has organized several clean ups over last year and continues in his efforts to engage young people in cleaning up their community. Forbi is helping us to connect with relevant organisations in Cameroon.
