Mobile service: A multifunctional truck to transform legal identity
For the first time in Cameroon, UNICEF has handed over to BUNEC a mobile truck dedicated to civil registration, vaccination and child protection, soon to be deployed in the North to reach remote communities.
- English
- Français
As is customary during wedding celebrations, Yaoundé City Hall was decked out in its finest attire to witness a fruitful partnership and a historic moment. In the presence of distinguished guests, UNICEF and the National Civil Registry Office renewed their alliance to improve the civil registration system. As a symbol of this fruitful union, UNICEF presented BUNEC with the very first multifunctional truck dedicated, among other things, to mobile civil registry services. Under the flashes of cameras, the media cameras and the watchful eyes of Mr Georges Elanga Obam, Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, and Ms Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa , Minister for the Promotion of Women and the Family, Ms Nadine Perrault, UNICEF Representative, and Mr Alexandre Marie Yomo of BUNEC signed a memorandum of understanding on the terms of use of the vehicle.
The two institutions are continuing their collaborative efforts to ensure that every Cameroonian has access to a legal identity. The latest initiative in this partnership is the "My Name, My Identity, My Right" campaign, which stemmed from the first national forum of mayors held on April 26–27, 2024. This forum resulted in the signing of a charter by municipal elected officials and sparked a healthy competition among Cameroon's 374 mayors from April 2024 to June 2025, aimed at strengthening the birth registration system at the local level. A total of 98% of municipalities—367 out of 374—participated in this competition, guided by seven key indicators. These indicators included the establishment of civil registry offices in health facilities, development of budgeted action plans for civil status, reporting of statistical data, ensuring interoperability of information systems, and promoting community and educational mobilisation.
On June 2, 2025, UNICEF awarded prizes to the 40 best-performing municipalities in the citizenship championship. The prizes included cheques, tricycles, computer equipment, and trophies. The North region, recognised as the top-performing region, received a truck to support integrated child protection services.
A multifunctional truck designed for a pilot project offering mobile civil registry services.
On the esplanade of Yaoundé City Hall, curious onlookers gathered around a brand new white truck, adorned with the colours of UNICEF, BUNEC, and the "My Name, My Identity, My Right" campaign. In her speech, Ms. Nadine Perrault, UNICEF Representative in Cameroon, announced that this truck is a prize awarded to the Regional Civil Registry Office of the North for the outstanding performance of municipalities in that region during the "My Name, My Identity, My Right" challenge.
"Birth registration is not only a child protection issue, but it is also crucial for governance and development. Thanks to the commitment of national and local authorities, Cameroon has become a regional benchmark. We are proud and honoured to support this transformative transition. Today, we celebrate the North region, which has been the most successful," she stated.
The primary purpose of this vehicle will be to enhance the provision of civil registration services, particularly for births. It will also facilitate logistical support for the implementation of integrated community services, including civil registration, health, education, and child protection provided by social and judicial services.
After cutting the ribbon and exploring the truck's interior, the various dignitaries present were able to witness the collaboration between the services involved in child protection. On that day, children received vitamin A drops and accessed civil registration services.
In his speech, Mr Alexandre Marie Yomo, Director General of BUNEC, highlighted that 1,046,813 pupils without birth certificates were registered by BUNEC and the Ministry of Basic Education at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. He pointed out that, according to national statistics, despite the efforts of the government and its partners, one in three children is not registered with the civil registry.
Therefore, the multifunctional truck catalyses ensuring that every Cameroonian has access to a legal identity.
"I hereby make a firm commitment to the rigorous and responsible management of this vehicle," he solemnly promised.
For the Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Mr Georges Elanga Obam, this multifunctional truck is a crucial element in enhancing the collaboration among stakeholders involved in the civil registration system.
"The role of this truck extends far beyond transportation. It will serve as an essential tool for implementing mobile civil registration services, enabling innovative interventions by various actors in the civil registration ecosystem," he stated.
UNICEF Representative Ms. Nadine Perrault expressed her commitment to extending similar support to other regions.
"Northern Cameroon is a pilot project. With the backing of our technical and financial partners, we are dedicated to expanding this mobile civil registration service initiative to other areas of the country," Ms Perrault remarked.
This multifunctional truck also contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, which aims to ensure legal identity for all, particularly through birth registration, as well as to the African Union's Agenda 2063. In a few days, children living in the most remote areas of the North region will have easier access to legal identity services. This initiative is expected to be replicated in other parts of the country.
Several individuals were recognized for their contributions to modernising civil registration in Cameroon.
The Minister for the Promotion of Women and Families, the Minister for Decentralisation and Local Development, the Director General of BUNEC, the Director General of FEICOM, the Governor of the North Region, and the President of the United Communes and Cities of Cameroon were presented with special awards by Ms Nadine Perrault, UNICEF Representative in Cameroon.
"We are particularly pleased to present these special awards today to individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership, and a strong sense of public service in promoting birth registration in Cameroon. Their efforts have helped position the country as a champion of civil registration in Africa," said Ms. Perrault.
