Theatre Commander, UNOCHA boost humanitarian activities in North-east Nigeria

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) are seeking to deepen collaboration, to enhance humanitarian activities in the North East region.

This development came in the heels of a recent visit of UNOCHA delegation, led by the Head of Office, Mr Trond Jensen, to Headquarters, Theatre Command Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI.

Mr Jensen said that UNOCHA is responsible for coordinating all humanitarian activities of UN agencies in the region, hence, he considered it wise to explore ways of ameliorating some of the security challenges affecting the actualization of its mandate according to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyeam Nwachukwu.

Commending the effort of the Nigerian Military in the fight against insurgency, he identified the need to synergise and increase the confidence of stakeholders by promoting a transparent and healthy relationship to enhance their performance, to meet the humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons(IDPs) and others, who are affected by the current conflict situation, especially children, women and the aged.

The Theatre Commander (TC) OPHK, Major General Christopher Musa, promised that ”the Theatre Command would provide adequate security and conducive environment for the operations of UNOCHA in the North East.”

He urged the delegation to consider organising a symposium, where stakeholders could discuss salient issues and create more awareness for the benefit of both agencies.

In attendance at the visit were; the Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Richard Shammah, Theatre Logistics Component Commander, Brigadier General Emmanuel Akpan, Chief of Staff OPHK, Brigadier General Musa Sadiq among other Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters Theatre Command.

Mercy Chukwudiebere