At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, according to the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the number of fatalities decreased slightly from the previous year, with 387 aid workers killed in 2024, the deadliest year on record.
In addition to the fatalities, 322 aid workers were injured in attacks in 2025, and 235 were reported kidnapped, as per the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern, stating that serving others has become increasingly perilous.
The Gaza Strip maintained its position as the most dangerous environment for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 deaths reported last year during Israel’s conflict in the region. Additionally, Sudan saw 71 aid workers lose their lives in 2025 due to the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since 2023.
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, emphasized the unacceptable toll, with over 1,000 aid workers killed in the past three years. He stressed the need for states to uphold international humanitarian law to safeguard civilians and aid workers, calling for real consequences for those violating the rules.
As of this year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN also raised concerns about the increasing use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing instances in Sudan and Ukraine where drones were responsible for a significant number of civilian casualties.
Fletcher warned that weaponized drones pose a new threat to civilian lives, highlighting the alarming trend of deliberate or reckless targeting of civilians in conflict zones.
