Ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most often depends as much on security and coordination as on funding or logistics. In Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region — a strategic corridor on the border with Sudan — UNDSS recently demonstrated how security expertise underpins effective UN operations.
Prince Bruce, Chief Security Adviser (CSA) for Ethiopia and Djibouti, led a joint UNDSS mission with Field Security Associate Abiot Alboro and Security Coordination Officer Yaw Okai from the United Nations Office to the African Union. The purpose: to strengthen collaboration with local authorities, security forces, and humanitarian partners and to ensure safe, reliable access for UN programmes and staff.
“Our role is not just about supporting UN personnel — it is about enabling the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance,” Prince Bruce said. “Without a secure environment, aid cannot reach vulnerable communities, and programmes cannot operate effectively.”
During high-level discussions with Ashadeli Hassen, President of Benishangul-Gumuz, and senior Ethiopian security officials, UNDSS emphasized the importance of close coordination to address inter-communal violence, armed group activity, and cross-border instability from Sudan and South Sudan. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open communication, safeguarding humanitarian access, and supporting community resilience.
The mission also included visits to refugee camps, highlighting UNDSS’ role in ensuring safe conditions for displaced populations and the staff who serve them. In Assosa, the regional capital, UNDSS consulted UN security focal points and the acting Area Security Coordinator to identify operational challenges, including difficult roads, limited access to remote areas, and the broader risks of regional instability.
“Understanding these challenges on the ground allows us to provide precise guidance and risk management support, ensuring that UN agencies, funds, and programmes can continue delivering life-saving assistance safely,” Bruce noted.
The mission reinforced UNDSS’ engagement in the border region, strengthened relationships with local and national counterparts, and produced recommendations to enhance operational safety.