Cameroon/ Orange Cameroon goes to war against desertification and climate change :: CAMEROON

As part of its environmental protection activities, a team from the cell phone company travelled to Garoua, the capital of the North Region, to show its solidarity with all the populations of the North threatened by desertification and climate change.

This is the "Engage for change" program, a call from Orange Cameroon to change for the better in a healthy environment. To achieve this, people need to work together to support public authorities in the fight against climate change, which is having an impact on people's daily lives. Because of their geographical position, people in the north are prime targets for desertification and climate change.

Orange is aware of the seriousness of the situation, and has put its shoulder to the wheel. Company employees and volunteers were mobilized to plant 5,000 trees to reforest and refresh the northern capital. For Orange Cameroon, "the 5,000 trees planted as part of this program are a way of marking our eco-responsible footprint and anchoring in people's minds the urgency and necessity of planting trees to strengthen the resilience of local populations".

Oumarou Sanda, Mayor of Garoua 2eme, commented: "This action is an extension of what Orange Cameroun is already doing in terms of the environment. Because at Orange we're convinced that trees are a shield against the unpleasant climate we're currently experiencing. Planting a tree is absolutely essential if we want to leave a healthy environment".

A sentiment shared by Nestor Dym, sub-prefect of Garoua 2, who points out that "it's very hot in Garoua, so we need to plant lemm trees. This initiative, taken by the municipality and supported by Orange Cameroon, is commendable, and we want to call on our populations to protect these trees that we are planting today"
Also, for Mathilda Mambo, Director of Human Resources, representing the Managing Director at Orange Cameroun, "The strong advance of the desert has raised the awareness of the entire population, and of economic players in particular, led by Orange Cameroun, who have all felt a duty of responsibility towards the people of the northern zone, who have been hard hit by this situation, which is responsible for enormous damage to the environment.This situation is responsible for enormous human and economic losses, as well as the displacement of populations, all of which calls for a new organization of life and concerted action to benefit the beneficiaries.Through the 5,000 trees planted as part of this program, we aim to make our mark in an eco-responsible way, and to anchor in people's minds the urgency and necessity of planting trees to strengthen the resilience of local populations".

Finally, it has to be said that the "Engage for change" operation joins another Garoua-based operation, "Un foyer, un arbre" ("A home, a tree") run by the Garoua 2 Town Council. With the same objective: to reverse the current degradation of soil, water, land and forest resources without delay. Thus, the initiative focuses on reforestation, low-carbon economic development, the multiplication of urban forests and new opportunities to improve the livelihoods of people in rural areas.

The Mayor was clear on this point: "It's not a question of simply planting decorative trees, but of doing so in a thoughtful way to create a truly complex ecosystem. Forested areas are more resilient, and when well arranged, they make cities more pleasant, safer and better able to withstand climate change".

Source: www.camer.be/