China has urged the international community to prioritize the safety of humanitarian workers and United Nations personnel during a high-level UN Security Council debate this week. Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei emphasized the need for concrete measures to address escalating risks faced by aid workers in conflict zones.
UN aid coordinator Tom Fletcher revealed alarming statistics: 326 humanitarian workers were killed across 21 countries in 2025 alone, with over 1,010 deaths recorded in the past three years. The Gaza Strip and West Bank accounted for more than half of last year's casualties, followed by significant losses in Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"This isn't accidental escalation – it's the collapse of protection," Fletcher told Security Council members, demanding immediate accountability for attacks on relief operations.
Sun highlighted ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, and Congo displacing millions while stressing China's position: "Humanitarian workers must never become targets, and aid operations must not be militarized." He reaffirmed China's commitment to international humanitarian law principles, calling for strict enforcement and zero tolerance for violations.
The debate comes as global conflicts increasingly endanger relief efforts, with UN staff and peacekeepers facing unprecedented risks while delivering life-saving assistance.
