A man whose child is one of at least 30 people killed inlandslides in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, had to sleep outside in the cold overnight as he and his family could not find refuge elsewhere after losing their home.
Ymele Guy is a resident of the impoverished neighbourhood of Mbankolo, where many houses that had been precariously built on a hillside were destroyed after heavy rains on Sunday.
He, his wife and surviving three children were given a mattress by visiting officials who informed them the remaining houses in the area were all to be demolished.
Housing Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtès had said during her visit on Monday that temporary accommodation in halls and other public places would be provided for those without a place to stay.
“We have lots of problems, we are sleeping outside because they [the authorities] said they must demolish everything… I didn’t have anyone in whose place I could sleep,” Mr Guy said.
The community is home to many people who move to the capital from rural areas to find work.
A local administrator “clearly told me that if it were up to him, I should return to my village”, Mr Guy said
“He told me if it’s possible to return home, I can go to his office and get transport fare to go to the village.”