OPHK, UN OCHA Strengthen Partnership to Protect Civilians, Aid Humanitarian Operations

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has pledged stronger collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian operations across the North-East.

In a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, on Thursday, the Theatre Commander, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, gave the assurance when he received the Deputy Head of Office, UN OCHA, Mrs Patricia Mucheche, and her delegation at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Ajose said OPHK remained committed to creating a secure environment for humanitarian operations, civilian protection and the restoration of livelihoods in communities affected by insecurity. Mucheche congratulated Ajose on his assumption of office as the 16th Theatre Commander and commended OPHK for facilitating humanitarian access and the safe delivery of assistance to vulnerable populations.

She, however, identified Improvised Explosive Devices, security threats along main supply routes and declining donor funding as major challenges confronting humanitarian operations in the region.

She called for sustained security along critical routes and farming areas, as well as improved coordination and timely information sharing to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and relief supplies.

Responding, Ajose assured the delegation that the Theatre Command would continue to take measures to safeguard communities and support legitimate humanitarian activities. He said civilian protection remained central to OPHK’s operations, adding that the command would strengthen coordination with UN OCHA through regular engagements, information sharing and the effective use of the UN OCHA Desk Office at its headquarters.

The Theatre Commander also pledged continued efforts to enable affected communities safely access their farmlands, rebuild livelihoods and return gradually to normal life. He said OPHK would sustain its operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and consolidate security gains, creating conditions conducive to humanitarian assistance and socio-economic activities across the North-East.