The United Nations reported that at least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives worldwide last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that the death toll was slightly lower compared to the previous year, which saw a record-high of 387 aid workers killed globally.
In addition to the fatalities, 322 aid workers were injured in attacks in 2025, and 235 were abducted, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary General António Guterres, in a video message on World Humanitarian Day, emphasized the increasing dangers faced by those serving others.
The Gaza Strip remained the most perilous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 casualties recorded last year amidst Israel’s conflict in the Palestinian enclave, as reported by OCHA. Sudan also saw 71 aid workers lose their lives in 2025 due to the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, expressed strong condemnation, stating that over 1,000 aid workers had been killed in just three years, deeming it unacceptable. He stressed the crucial need for states to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, with real consequences for those violating these rules.
As of the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN also raised concerns about the use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing instances of drone attacks causing civilian casualties in Sudan and Ukraine.
Fletcher highlighted the alarming trend of weaponized drones posing a significant threat to civilian lives, labeling them as a modern manifestation of the age-old danger of deliberate or reckless targeting of civilians in conflict zones.