Nearly a month after torrential rains hit Cameroon's Far North province, the town of Yagoua remains largely submerged, with residents struggling to cope with the persistent flooding.
The flooding caused by weeks of heavy rainfall has displaced thousands of families and destroyed swathes of farmland.
Local authorities in the Far North have launched an emergency flood appeal.
"There's no way for the water to get out. So the water is at the same level, even if you try hard to get it out, it always comes back to the same place. So we've been in water for three weeks, as you can see. Even in the kitchen there's water, so we can't put anything on the fire. For those who don't have a fence, the water level carries everything away, even the pots," said Vougsouna Robert, a victim.
The floods have rendered many roads impassable, forcing residents to rely on small boats, known locally as pirogues, for transportation.
A key bridge connecting the city's main districts has collapsed, further complicating movement.
The natural disaster also disrupted learning, as dozens of schools are unable to reopen. With the start of a new school year, pupils have been moved to the schools that are still functioning.
The prefect of the Mayo-Danay division, Jean Lazare Ndongo, said that they are taking measures to ensure the safety of the pupils who have to cross to the other side where their schools are.
Students now face a challenging daily commute, often involving truck rides followed by boat crossings to reach their schools.
"The tarmac has given way to water, and wherever you see the vessels going by, that's where the main road is. We do our best to cross these tides of water to get to our places of service. It's not easy but as it's back to school we have no choice. We have to go and look after our children and little brothers on the other side," said Fawa Jean Jacque, a teacher.
In the meantime, resettlement sites are being created for families who have lost their homes.
Cameroon's Far North grapples with severe flooding, disrupted daily life
The ongoing military exercise around Taiwan Island conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is a necessary measure to maintain peace and defend justice, Fred Tzou, deputy secretary general of the U.S.-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said on Monday.
The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA on Monday started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island.
Tzou said the drill is a powerful response to recent U.S. arms sales plan to Taiwan totaling over 11 billion U.S. dollars.
"The root cause of the tensions across the Taiwan Strait is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities refuse to admit the 1992 Consensus and the one-China principle. They seek separation in collusion with external forces and by use of military means. They heap up malicious slander and attacks against the mainland. They claim to be willing to improve the cross-Strait ties, but shows no sincerity in action. The arms sales with the United States this time infringe upon the peace and stability across the Strait and Taiwan people's interests," he said.
"As the spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command said, the drill named 'Justice Mission 2025' is a stern warning to Taiwan separatist forces and external interference. It is also a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and uphold national unity," said Tzou.
Tzou said the United States needs to work with China and respect China's core interests for common prosperity.
"The total amount of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan this time exceeds 11 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new record. In fact, such act constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental spirit of the three joint communiques between the United States and China, especially the August 17 Communique released in 1982," he said.
"Confrontation between China and the United States over the Taiwan issue does not serve U.S. interests. The two countries share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. China and the United States could become partners and friends and achieve mutual success and common prosperity," said Tzou.
Justice Mission 2025 aims at defending justice: expert
