Commemorating the victims of aviation accidents and their families
Published: Tuesday, 25 February 2025 17:13
Cameroon's civil aviation stakeholders met on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at CCAA headquarters to honour the memory of aviation accident victims and reinforce their commitment to safer skies. 
The first edition in Cameroon, presided at by Mme the Director General of the CCAA
Like all ICAO member countries, these Cameroonian stakeholders dedicated this day to the victims of aviation accidents and their families, to reflect on how to establish international and national standards for victim assistance in the face of potential air accidents.
Indeed, the memory of aviation accident victims remains vivid in the airline industry.
Hence, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decided, at the fifth meeting of its 224th session, to approve a proposal to declare February 20 of each year “International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Aircraft Accidents and their Families.” Since 2022, the 193 member states have been commemorating this day by raising awareness and taking appropriate measures to apply the relevant standards of Annex 9 on facilitation and assistance to accident victims and their families.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Avomo Assoumou Paule épouse Koki, General Manager of the CCAA, reminded all those involved in Cameroon's civil aviation sector of the importance of paying tribute to the victims of aviation accidents, raising public and stakeholder awareness of aviation safety issues, and offering support to the families of victims. She declared: “To make this day a real success, all stakeholders must work closely together. Together, we must transform the lessons of the past into concrete actions that will improve air safety and victim assistance in Cameroon.”
The airlines and private operators present also shared assistance experiences from accidents in Cameroon.
During the meeting, a proposal was made to build a memorial to honour the memory of the missing, creating a place of remembrance and hope for their families. Additionally, several suggestions were presented to improve assistance in Cameroon, aiming to address the needs of the victims better. In closing, Madame, the Director General of the CCAA, urged stakeholders to maintain their commitment to honouring the memory of the disappeared through concrete actions so that Cameroon can serve as a model for Africa in providing support to victims and their families.
As a reminder, this day in favour of aviation accident victims and their families was commemorated for the first time on February 20, 2023.
Trans: MKG/CEA-CRP
Closing of the commemoration at the head office of the CCAA in Yaounde