Garoua Boulaï, Cameroon

With a population of just 46,615, Garoua Boulaï is a sleepy border town that's feeling the strain of a refugee crisis. The town has been overwhelmed by an influx of 30,000 refugees fleeing the Central African Republic, leaving the lone government hospital and aid agencies struggling to cope. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the mayor notes the situation is "getting out of hand" and the refugee camp 50km away lacks basic services. Unless you're prepared to navigate the squalid conditions and overburdened infrastructure, this border town is not the ideal destination for the average expat.