The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has strongly deplored the deadly ambush on a convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected persons last Saturday (December 16) in Borno State. He expressed “grave concern over the limitations that attacks of this nature may have on the delivery of life-saving supplies to people in need in North-East Nigeria.”

The armed ambush by a non-state armed group took place on the road between Dikwa and Gamboru, and resulted in the reported loss of at least four civilian lives as well as the destruction of basic aid items initially destined to alleviate the suffering of thousands of women, children and men.

“Violence against convoys carrying humanitarian aid is unacceptable and can result in concerning limitations in our ability to provide life-saving relief to those who need it the most,” said Mr. Kallon in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. “We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys across the north-east of Nigeria, so people in need of assistance can access it in a timely manner and in sufficient quantity. Many lives are at risk,” he added.

The statement noted: “The United Nations and its partners operate in the North-East of Nigeria in order to provide life-saving assistance to 6.9 million people affected by the brutal conflict. Humanitarian operations are carried out following the four basic humanitarian principles of operational independence, humanity, impartiality and neutrality and should be respected as such.

“Since January 2017, despite major challenges, humanitarian operations in north-east Nigeria have managed to assist over 5 million conflict-affected people in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, including 3 million with food security interventions, 936,000 with nutritional support, 5 million with health care assistance, and over 1.3 million with safe drinking water.”

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