At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, as reported by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) disclosed that the death toll in 2025 decreased slightly compared to the previous year’s record-setting figure of 387 aid workers killed worldwide.
In addition to the fatalities, a minimum of 322 aid workers sustained injuries in attacks last year, with 235 individuals being kidnapped, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary General António Guterres highlighted the escalating dangers faced by those serving others, emphasizing the heightened risks experienced by humanitarian workers on World Humanitarian Day.
For the third consecutive year, the Gaza Strip remained the most perilous environment for aid workers, with 186 fatalities reported amidst Israel’s conflict in the Palestinian enclave. Furthermore, Sudan witnessed the loss of 71 aid workers in 2025 due to the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, condemned the unacceptable trend of over 1,000 aid worker deaths in the past three years. He emphasized the critical need for states to uphold international humanitarian laws to safeguard civilians and aid workers, stressing the importance of enforcing consequences for those who violate these regulations.
As of the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN also expressed concerns regarding the growing use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing instances in Sudan and Ukraine where drones were responsible for significant civilian casualties.
Fletcher highlighted the dangers posed by weaponized drones, describing them as a modern threat to civilian lives through deliberate or reckless actions.