At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, according to the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the death toll in 2025 decreased slightly from the previous year, which was the deadliest on record with 387 aid workers killed worldwide.
In addition to the fatalities, at least 322 aid workers were wounded in attacks last year, while 235 were abducted, as per the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern in a video message on World Humanitarian Day, stating that serving others has become increasingly perilous.
The Gaza Strip retained its position as the most dangerous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 casualties in 2025 during the conflict involving Israel in the Palestinian enclave. Sudan also witnessed significant violence, with 71 aid workers killed in the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since 2023.
UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, condemned the alarming trend, highlighting that over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in just three years. He emphasized the need for states to uphold international humanitarian law and enforce measures to safeguard civilians and aid workers. Fletcher stressed the importance of holding accountable those who violate these regulations.
As of the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 abducted. The UN also raised concerns regarding the increasing use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing instances in Sudan and Ukraine where drones were responsible for a significant number of civilian casualties.
“Weaponized drones have emerged as a new threat, causing deliberate harm to civilian populations,” Fletcher remarked on the concerning trend of drone attacks in conflict zones.