The United Nations revealed a grim milestone on World Humanitarian Day, announcing that 383 aid workers were killed in 2024—a 31% increase from the previous year. Conflicts in Gaza and Sudan accounted for over 60% of the deaths, with 181 and 60 fatalities respectively, underscoring the escalating risks faced by humanitarian personnel.
State actors were identified as the most frequent perpetrators of attacks, which often targeted local staff either during operations or in their homes. In addition to the deaths, 308 workers were injured, 125 kidnapped, and 45 detained globally last year.
"Attacks on this scale, with zero accountability, are a shameful indictment of international inaction," said UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, urging global leaders to protect civilians and hold perpetrators responsible.
Provisional 2024 data shows 265 aid worker deaths as of mid-August, signaling no respite. The World Health Organization also reported over 800 attacks on healthcare facilities this year, resulting in 1,110 deaths among medical staff and patients.
The findings coincide with World Humanitarian Day, which commemorates the 2003 Baghdad UN headquarters bombing that killed 22 aid workers. The UN emphasized that such violence violates international law and cripples life-saving efforts in crisis zones.
