The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has condemned an ambush on a convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for internally displaced people in Borno on Saturday.
The World Food Programme said at least four people were killed and trucks missing when gunmen ambushed the convoy between Dikwa and Gamboru, in Borno State.
Kallon said the attacks may constrain delivery of life-saving supplies to people in need in north-east Nigeria.
“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 Kallon.
“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 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.
