UN resumes humanitarian operations in Borno after uproar with military

... As Shettima visits affected UN Property, holds joint briefing

The United Nations has fully resumed its humanitarian operations in Borno State after Friday's suspension of activities in protest of it described as "unauthorised raid of its humanitarian base camp by military in early hours of Friday in Maiduguri.

UN Deputy Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs, Peter Lundberg gave indication about the resumption of activities when he received Governor Kashim Shettima at the 'raided' UN camp in Maiduguri for a joint Press briefing.

"I am very pleased to report that our relationship of collaboration and trust is intact, and at this stage we are focused on the work ahead to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the northeast are supported with life-saving humanitarian aid" Lundberg said, noting that the UN provides food to 2 million persons affected by the Boko Haram crisis every month and provides seeds, tools and fertilizers to about 1.2 million people every month.
He adds, "responding to the humanitarian needs of millions of people in the northeast remains our priority and our focus, each and every day. The fact remains that the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east and the Lake Chad region – now in its eighth year - is one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5m people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2017 in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, and 6.9m targeted for humanitarian assistance in these three states" Lundberg said at the briefing. He revealed that the UN had received less than 50 percent of what it wanted from generous international donors to help in addressing critical humanitarian needs in Nigeria.

‎Visiting Governor Shettima said the issue had been resolved. He recalled that following the incident, he had convened an emergency security which was attended by the heads of the military and the UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr.Peter Lundberg during which all matters were resolved at the Government House on Friday.

"Yesterday's (Friday) incident was a regrettable 24-hours setback on our well established relationship with the UN. We were quick to take steps in rebuilding our partnership with the UN. As Chairman of the Borno State Security Council, I immediately convened a security Council meeting at the Government House, here in Maiduguri yesterday and my good friend, the deputy humanitarian coordinator, Mr Peter Lundberg was in attendance and so were the General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, the State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of Security Services, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Deputy Governor of Borno State. We discussed all the issues and reaffirmed our joint agreement concerning the sincere role of the UN, the sanctity of their premises and workers in line with international best practices. I was on phone with my sister, Her Excellency, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, who understandably had some concerns. I reassured her of our commitment to safeguarding humanitarian workers with the UN and all partners. The fact is that the military has had a good collaborative relationship with humanitarian actors in Borno State. The military has been playing an important role in escorting humanitarian workers particularly those conveying food and medical supplies to displaced persons in satellite camps outside Maiduguri. Yes, there was a problem yesterday but what is important is that we have all gone beyond that phase. In Borno today, what connects my Government, the military and the UN is the challenge of humanitarian needs created by the Boko Haram insurgency. We all recognize that the plight of displaced persons and bringing an end to the Boko Haram is our shared priority and responsibility. It is this shared priority and responsibility that strengthens all of us to go beyond what happened and look into the continued task of supporting persons in need‎" the Governor said.

He explained that the Borno State Government has been exceptionally collaborative in enabling critical interventions by UN agencies and all Non-Governmental organizations operating in Borno State and assures of continuous and stronger collaboration.

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