Nigerian Army, UN OCHA Deepen Partnership to Enhance Humanitarian Operations
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation in support of humanitarian operations, civilian protection and stabilisation efforts in conflict-affected areas of the country.
The Army Chief made the commitment on Friday while receiving the Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Congratulating Miss Parry on her appointment, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the longstanding collaboration between the Nigerian Army and UN humanitarian agencies as a strategic partnership that has significantly enhanced humanitarian response, improved civilian protection and supported ongoing stabilisation initiatives in the North East.
He stated that ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access remains a key component of the Nigerian Army’s comprehensive strategy to consolidate operational gains, facilitate the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
The COAS assured the UN delegation of the Army’s continued commitment to providing adequate security for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and other essential supplies, particularly along major operational corridors.
While acknowledging the security concerns surrounding the ongoing decongestion of IDP camps and the resettlement of affected communities in Borno State, he stressed that the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with humanitarian partners to ensure the process is conducted in a safe and coordinated manner.
To further strengthen humanitarian operations, Lieutenant General Shaibu directed the Theatre Commander to reinforce security along vulnerable humanitarian supply routes, especially the Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala axis, where remnants of terrorist groups continue to threaten relief activities.
He also called for the adoption of innovative force protection measures, stronger convoy escort arrangements and enhanced operational coordination between the military and humanitarian organisations.
The Army Chief further encouraged UN OCHA to maximise available resources through improved forward logistics planning, including local warehousing and the expansion of the Humanitarian Reset Initiative, to sustain the delivery of humanitarian assistance despite declining global funding.
Earlier, the Head of Office of UN OCHA in Nigeria, Miss Danielle Parry, commended the Nigerian Army for its consistent support in facilitating humanitarian operations across the North East.
She disclosed that nearly six million people still rely on humanitarian assistance, even as international funding for relief operations continues to decline.
Miss Parry identified persistent security challenges in Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa and Monguno as major obstacles to humanitarian access and appealed for sustained military support to enable displaced persons to safely return to farming and other livelihood activities.
She also requested increased military assistance in clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) from resettlement communities, intensified patrols along critical rainy-season supply routes and enhanced security escorts for humanitarian convoys.
Reaffirming UN OCHA’s commitment to strengthening civil-military coordination, Miss Parry commended the professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel.
According to her, sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army and humanitarian partners remains critical to protecting vulnerable populations, delivering life-saving assistance and advancing long-term peace, recovery and development across Nigeria’s North East.
