At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, as stated by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a slight decrease in the death toll from the previous year, which saw a record-high of 387 aid workers killed in 2024.
In addition to the fatalities, 322 aid workers were wounded in attacks in 2025, with 235 being abducted, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed concern, stating that serving others has become increasingly perilous.
The Gaza Strip was identified as the most dangerous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 casualties recorded last year during Israel’s conflict in the region. Sudan also witnessed significant violence, with 71 aid workers losing their lives in the midst of a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, condemned the escalating violence, emphasizing that over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in the past three years, calling the situation “utterly unacceptable.” He stressed the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and ensuring consequences for those who violate the rules.
In the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 abducted. Additionally, the UN raised concerns about the increasing use of armed drones in conflict zones, highlighting their devastating impact on civilians. Drones have been utilized in attacks on markets and health facilities in Sudan, resulting in a significant number of civilian casualties. Fletcher warned that weaponized drones pose a grave threat to civilian lives, representing a new form of indiscriminate violence.
The UN continues to advocate for the protection of aid workers and civilians in conflict zones and calls for strict adherence to international humanitarian laws to prevent further violence and loss of life.