In 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a record 281 aid worker fatalities worldwide, surpassing previous years.
This alarming increase is largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 320 humanitarian personnel have been killed since October 7, 2023, many while providing assistance. Most of these victims were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated, “Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs. This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations. States and parties to conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible, and call time on this era of impunity.”
Beyond Gaza, aid workers face significant threats in countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen, experiencing violence, kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention. The majority of fatalities involve local staff working with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
This surge in violence against humanitarian personnel reflects a broader trend of harm to civilians in conflict zones. In 2023, over 33,000 civilian deaths were recorded across 14 armed conflicts, marking a 72% increase from 2022.
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The international community continues to call for stronger protections for aid workers and civilians, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian laws to prevent further loss of life.