Douala’s fifth district is stepping up efforts to prevent landslide risks in the Logbessou neighborhood.
On March 24, 2026, the municipal social affairs department held a community meeting at the local chief’s residence, in the presence of the village chief.
The meeting is part of a broader outreach campaign conducted in recent weeks, including door-to-door awareness efforts. Authorities aim to warn residents about the dangers posed by homes built near the steep slopes of Logbessou, an area classified as high risk.
Officials say landslides could cause houses and buildings located on or below unstable terrain to collapse. The area’s steep topography, combined with high demand for land and construction often carried out without proper geotechnical assessments, has increased the vulnerability of residential structures.
In response, the Douala Urban Community (CUD) is urging residents in the most exposed areas to leave those zones as a preventive measure. The CUD has also expressed its willingness to support affected households in order to limit the social impact of relocation.
After the July 2024 tragedy
The prevention campaign follows a deadly incident that highlighted the risks in the area.
On July 17, 2024, around midday, a landslide at a site known locally as the CRTV antenna in Logbessou killed several workers. Firefighters from the 20th brigade responded to the scene. Five workers were buried under debris at the sloped construction site. Two were taken to Cité des Palmiers hospital before emergency services arrived, while three others, all men, were found dead, according to the gendarmerie.
The incident underscored the dangers of unregulated construction in unstable zones and the lack of adequate safety measures at some sites. Authorities now say their priority is to prevent similar events. Their strategy focuses on anticipation, public awareness, and stronger community engagement.
The situation in Logbessou reflects a broader pattern across Douala, the country’s economic hub. Rapid and often poorly regulated urban expansion is pushing many residents into unsuitable areas, including hillsides and flood-prone lowlands. This pressure complicates prevention efforts and increases exposure to natural hazards.
By expanding information campaigns and working with traditional authorities, the CUD aims to strengthen public awareness. The stakes are immediate: protecting lives from sudden and potentially irreversible risks. However, the success of these efforts will also depend on the authorities’ ability to provide viable resettlement solutions, a key condition for prevention measures to be effective.
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