By Esther Oseyiomon
Operation HADIN KAI has strengthened its civil–military and humanitarian partnerships to improve access to vulnerable communities across Nigeria’s North East.
The renewed collaboration followed a series of high-level engagements between the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) and international humanitarian organisations in Borno State.
According to the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the engagements involved senior officials of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The UN DSS delegation was led by Florence Paussin, Team Leader and Deputy Director, Department of Field Operations, who arrived from New York to deepen cooperation on the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.
She commended the professionalism of Operation HADIN KAI and its sustained efforts in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers operating in challenging environments.
Paussin noted that the visit provided an opportunity to better understand the security situation and enhance coordination, particularly in securing escorts for UN personnel in hard-to-reach areas.
In response, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, acknowledged the role of UN DSS in supporting humanitarian operations across the theatre.
He stressed that while kinetic operations continue against terrorist elements, humanitarian support remains a core priority of Operation HADIN KAI.
Major General Abubakar added that although security in the North East has largely been contained, sustained vigilance remains essential, assuring continued protection for humanitarian actors.
In a related engagement, an ICRC delegation led by Mr Yanich Buvhili, Team Leader and Head of Operations, called for deeper collaboration to ensure safe delivery of humanitarian and medical services to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations across Borno State.