At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another unfortunate year for violence against aid workers, as reported by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) disclosed that the death toll in 2025 slightly decreased compared to the previous year, which saw the deadliest record with 387 aid workers killed worldwide.
In addition to the fatalities, there were at least 322 aid workers injured in attacks and 235 kidnapped in 2025, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the increasing danger faced by those serving others, expressing concerns on World Humanitarian Day.
The Gaza Strip retained its position as the most perilous environment for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 fatalities recorded last year during Israel’s conflict in the region, as stated by OCHA. Sudan also witnessed significant violence against aid workers, with 71 individuals losing their lives in the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since 2023.
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, strongly condemned the escalating violence, highlighting that over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in the past three years. Fletcher emphasized the need for upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring repercussions for those violating the rules to protect both civilians and humanitarian workers.
In the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN expressed concerns about the growing use of armed drones in conflict areas, pointing out their destructive impact on civilian lives. Drone attacks in Sudan and Ukraine have resulted in significant civilian casualties, prompting calls for greater protection of non-combatants in conflict zones.