Additional Context: This information was collected by Human Rights Watch, or HRW, in a interviews with representatives from the organization who chose to remain anonymous. The organization reached about 2,000 LGBTQ+ people with its programs, and lost about $300,000, or 40%, of its funding due to U.S. cuts. The organization admitted to contemplating the closure of one of its regional offices, although further developments have yet to be confirmed.

A staff member who was laid off as a result of these cuts reported to HRW the difficulties of losing employment as an LGBTQ+ person in Cameroon. This included difficulty in finding new employment, access to food and health care, and maintaining stable housing. The head of the organization expressed concerns regarding permanent capacity issues with the loss of experienced staff forced out of the sector who may not return even if future funding is later secured. They also mentioned years of relationship-building with government officials on key population protection as being undone.

Devex Researcher Note: Cameroon has aggressive anti-homosexuality laws, which are regularly enforced, leading to up to five years of imprisonment for those who engage in same-sex relations. This already hostile environment adds a further layer of difficulty for LGBTQ+ people seeking care for HIV and other STIs, to which they are disproportionately vulnerable.

Source: Human Rights Watch