Thousands of Nigerians have been asked to leave Goura in Cameroon, and return to their homes in Rann, Borno State.

According to statistics on the insurgency situation in the state, three weeks ago, people in Rann in North-East Nigeria, fled to Goura in Cameroon.

Nearly 40,000 people have been living in makeshift shelters since their arrival in the border country, but they are now leaving Cameroon after being told to go home.

Speaking on the situation, Stéphanie Remion, the MSF Emergency Coordinator in Goura, said: “Today we are seeing people packing up their belongings and leaving for Rann after being told by Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities to leave.

“We are extremely concerned over what will happen to them once they go back to Rann as the security situation there is very uncertain and there is no humanitarian assistance available.

“Rann has been attacked several times in recent months and many of the patients we treated in Goura told us they fled because they were afraid. They don’t want to return. We know there were suspected cases of measles in Goura and if this spreads in Rann, where there is no medical care available, it will be a disaster.

“We call on the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to protect these vulnerable people and ensure they can seek safety where they choose and where they have access to essential means such as shelter, food and medical care.”