Last year, over 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally, marking another tragic year marred by violence against aid workers, as reported by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that although the death toll slightly decreased from the previous year, which saw the highest number of fatalities on record with 387 aid workers killed, at least 322 humanitarian workers were injured in attacks, and 235 were abducted in 2025, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized in a video message on World Humanitarian Day that the risks faced by those serving others have escalated significantly. The Gaza Strip continued to be the most dangerous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 fatalities reported amidst the conflict in the region. Additionally, Sudan witnessed 71 aid workers losing their lives in the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, expressed deep concern over the alarming trend, stating that more than 1,000 aid workers have been killed in the past three years, deeming it unacceptable. He stressed the urgent need for states to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for those violating these laws.
In the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have already been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The use of armed drones in conflict zones has raised further alarm, with drones being responsible for significant civilian casualties in places like Sudan and Ukraine. Fletcher highlighted the grave consequences of weaponized drones, labeling them as a new form of endangerment to civilian lives.
The UN’s call for action to protect aid workers and civilians in conflict zones remains urgent and critical in the face of escalating violence and threats.