Nigeria, INSO, Improved protection of relief personnel and effectiveness of humanitarian action

The north-east Nigeria context remains very challenging for NGO operations. Activities of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) have been sustained, and while attacks against the Nigerian army have decreased, attacks or violence against civilians are on a steep rise. As a result, NGOs remain largely confined to providing assistance in “garrison towns” with military presence, while large swaths of territory, particularly in Borno State, remain inaccessible. In the north-west, the armed criminal groups popularly known as ‘bandits’, that wield sophisticated military-grade weapons, have been the major source of violence by carrying out mass abductions/kidnappings, killings, forced labour, illegal taxations, etc. NGOs operating there face an even more uncertain and volatile context than in the north-east, as security information has so far been much scarcer and not received in a structured manner.

This proposed intervention will continue to provide security information, analysis and advice to NGOs and support to their preparedness and response capacities in the north-east and will now avail similar services to NGOs in the north-west.  

Outcome 1: Credible, reliable and high-quality safety information, analysis and advice is provided to NGOs in a timely and appropriate manner.

Outcome 2: NGOs are supported in their own preparedness, security and crisis management capacity.

Expected results:  

• 135 security training courses delivered
• 300 safety and security roundtables with humanitarian partners
• 28 monthly reports, 9 quarterly reports and 106 weekly incident lists
• Facilitated access to INSO services for local NGOs

Results from previous phases:  

• Improved situational awareness and emergency preparedness and response for 83 INGOs, 8 UN Agencies, 7 donors, ICRC, IFRC. This was, amongst others, achieved through regular reports and alerts on security incidents and trends, and security meetings
• In a satisfaction conducted in 2023, 87% of respondents indicated that INSO services help them plan, operate and deliver aid more safely
• INSO launched its Conflict and Humanitarian Data Centre (CHDC), an online security incidents database, and a mobile application in April and June 2023, enabling partners to receive real-time alerts and access services

UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDSS), Cluster mechanisms (Access and Civil-Military Coordination)

Local authorities: Security-related ministries 

Donors: ECHO, FCDO, and BHA