Women’s coalition provides emergency support, calls for protection and community dialogue after January 14 massacre
The South West/North West Women’s Task Force (SNWOT) has carried out a humanitarian outreach to survivors of the January 14, 2026 attack on the Mbororo community in Gidado, Donga Mantung Division, providing relief assistance to survivors receiving treatment at the Nkambe General Hospital.
The visit formed part of SNWOT’s peacebuilding and community resilience agenda in the conflict-affected North West and South West regions. The coalition, made up of women leaders and women-led organisations, mobilised more than 500,000 CFA francs through individual member contributions to support families affected by the violence.
The funds were used to purchase essential items, including mattresses, blankets, buckets, sanitary pads, soap, beverages and rice. According to SNWOT, the support is aimed at providing immediate relief to survivors who lost their homes and personal belongings during the attack.
“This activity is central to our objective of supporting rural communities, particularly women, girls and minority groups, towards social cohesion and resilience in the face of violence,” the organisation said in a statement.
Speaking after the visit, SNWOT General Coordinator, Andiensa Clotilda Waah, described the outreach as a gesture of solidarity and a call to action.
“Today we are in Nkambe in a purely humanitarian and solidarity visit to the survivors of the Gidado massacre. We are here to tell them they are not alone. What happened in Gidado is a reminder of the different forms of violence women and girls suffer during conflict, and the lack of protection mechanisms in vulnerable communities.” she said.
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The General Coordinator called for stronger community protection structures and sustained dialogue at grassroots level to prevent further violence.
“There must be intentional protection mechanisms in all communities, especially to reduce violence against women and girls. There must also be organised community dialogue so people understand one another and resist manipulation that leads to loss of life,” she said, adding that perpetrators should be investigated and brought to justice.
She also appealed to government authorities and partners to take urgent action.
“This is a call to the powers that be that something must be done, and done urgently. Many survivors do not even have roofs over their heads or basic cooking items. Our small support cannot solve everything.”
SNWOT said it plans to engage wider community networks and partners in the coming days to strengthen its response through sustained solidarity and peacebuilding action.
“We believe others can step up and contribute. Reclaiming our communities from violence requires collective effort, proximity support and long-term peacebuilding,” the coalition said.
At the hospital, survivors, including 11 patients receiving treatment, were assured of continued support. SNWOT representatives said the resilience of the survivors was a source of encouragement, while extending sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the attack.
“Our hearts go with those who did not survive, our plea is that this should never happen again.”
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopoices
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