A man, whose child was among the 30 or more individuals tragically killed in landslides in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, found himself spending a cold night outdoors.
He and his family were unable to secure alternative shelter after their home was lost.
Ymele Guy resides in the impoverished Mbankolo neighborhood, where numerous houses perched precariously on a hillside were obliterated due to heavy rains on Sunday.
He, along with his wife and three surviving children, received a mattress from visiting officials who conveyed the news that all remaining houses in the area would be demolished.
Housing Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtès, during her visit on Monday, had pledged to provide temporary accommodation in community halls and other public spaces for those who had nowhere else to stay.
“We have lots of problems, we are sleeping outside because they [the authorities] said they must demolish everything… I didn’t have anyone in whose place I could sleep,” Mr Guy said.
The community is home to many people who move to the capital from rural areas to find work.
A local administrator “clearly told me that if it were up to him, I should return to my village”, Mr Guy said
“He told me if it’s possible to return home, I can go to his office and get transport fare to go to the village.”