The Bishop of the Diocese of Buea, His Lordship Michael Bibi, visited the victims of the Nkambe explosion that occurred on February 11, 2025. Bishop Bibi made the visit to the victims currently receiving treatment and care at the Associated Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH) in Dibanda, Mile 14, today, February 17, 2025.
During the visit, the Local Ordinary of Buea expressed sincere gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the organization fully covering the victims’ treatment, lodging, and feeding during their stay at the center.
Bishop Inspects the protestic legs
He praised the organization for its valuable mission of saving lives and assisting victims affected by the Anglophone crisis through its work in the Southwest Region and beyond.
“I want to sincerely thank the ICRC for this act of generosity towards our sisters affected by the bomb blast in Nkambe, Kumbo Diocese of Cameroon,” the Bishop said.
The Bishop also encouraged the victims—three schoolchildren who were injured in the explosion and had both legs amputated—reminding them that all hope is not lost and urging them to remain hopeful.
He proceeded to inspect the progress of their prosthetic legs, currently being developed at the center, and encouraged the workers to remain committed to their crucial mission of restoring hope to those in desperate need.
Bishop Bibi pose with victims
The Bishop then prayed for the girls and all other patients undergoing treatment at the center, invoking God’s blessings and healing upon them.
On her part, Sr. Hortensia Nchang, Administrator of the center, also expressed gratitude to the Red Cross for its long-standing partnership with ARCH, which enables the organization to cover the full cost of treatment for victims of the Anglophone crisis currently receiving care at the center. She urged all those affected by the crisis and experiencing amputation-related challenges to reach out to ARCH or the Red Cross, assuring them that their transportation to the center, as well as all treatment costs, would be fully covered by the Red Cross.
Bishop bibi watches as the experts train the victims on how to alk with the protestic legs
She also thanked the Bishop for taking the time to visit, stating that his presence serves as a great encouragement and morale boost for both the workers and the patients, as it reassures them that “their father is with them.”
Earlier during the visit, the Bishop of the Diocese of Buea blessed the hydrotherapy unit at the center and had the opportunity to listen to experts explain the various treatment processes taking place there.
Bishop Bibi blesses the hydrotherapy unit
The Associated Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH) is a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities or special physical needs, located at Mile 14, Dibanda, Buea. The center is owned and managed by the Diocese of Buea.
Its mission is to provide rehabilitation services to people living with disabilities and enable them to achieve sustainable reintegration into society.
