Gaza is the deadliest place on earth for aid workers

Citing its aid worker safety database, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) declared that 2024 was the deadliest year ever for humanitarian and aid workers. The world record for the number of aid workers killed was set in 2024 with 281 deaths.

"Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs; this violence is brutal and devastating for aid operations; governments and parties to the conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible for the crimes, and end this era of impunity," said Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, according to the UN website.

In comparison to prior years, the number of humanitarian workers killed in 2023 also rose sharply; last year, 280 aid workers were killed in 33 countries.

The primary cause of the sharp rise in these fatalities is the Israeli war in Gaza; the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) employed a large number of these individuals, and statistics show that since the war began, over 320 humanitarian workers have been killed, many of them while performing their responsibilities.

Aid workers are still being threatened outside of Gaza. In Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and other nations, they are frequently the victims of violence, kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention.

 Local employees who work for NGOs, UN agencies, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent account for the majority of the fatalities; violence against humanitarian workers is a common occurrence in conflict areas that harms civilians.

In 14 armed conflicts worldwide, over 33,000 civilians were killed last year—a startling 72% increase from 2022. Despite the high risks, humanitarian organizations and aid workers continue to work. Nearly 144 million people in need received life-saving aid from these individuals last year; as of November 2024, they had helped over 116 million people globally.

In response to the growing violence and threats against humanitarian workers, the Security Council passed Resolution 2730 in May 2024. This resolution requires the UN Secretary-General to suggest ways to stop and address such incidents, improve accountability, and safeguard humanitarian assets and personnel.