UNICEF statement on attack on humanitarian convoy in northeastern Nigeria
NEW YORK, 28 July 2016 – Today unknown assailants attacked a humanitarian convoy that included staff from UNICEF, UNFPA and IOM. The convoy was traveling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria, returning from delivering desperately needed humanitarian assistance.
UNICEF can confirm that a UNICEF employee and an IOM contractor were injured in the attack and are being treated at a local hospital. All other UNICEF, IOM and UNFPA staff are safe.
The convoy was in a remote area of northeastern Nigeria, where protracted conflict has caused extreme suffering and has triggered a severe malnutrition crisis. This was not only an attack on humanitarian workers. It is an attack on the people who most need the assistance and aid that these workers were bringing.
The United Nations has temporarily suspended humanitarian assistance missions pending review of the security situation.
###
ENDS
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
To learn about UNICEF and its work for children visit https://www.unicef.ie/
For further information please contact:
Toby Fricker, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 265 4518, tfricker@unicef.org
Doune Porter, UNICEF Nigeria, +234 803 525 0273, dporter@unicef.org
