The United Nations announced Wednesday that 2025 saw a record number of attacks on humanitarian personnel worldwide. According to the Aid Worker Security Database – a joint effort funded by Canada and Australia – 907 aid workers were killed, injured or kidnapped last year, up from 833 in 2024.
Of those incidents, 350 resulted in fatalities. While the death toll was slightly lower than the 387 recorded in 2024, the overall rise in attacks marks an alarming trend that UN officials described as “appalling.”
Drone proliferation raises risk
U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the growing role of inexpensive, adaptable armed drones in modern conflicts. He said the technology has made it easier for combatants to strike remote locations, putting aid convoys and field staff at greater danger. In March, a drone strike hit Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least three people, including a French humanitarian worker. Similar drone‑related incidents have been reported in Sudan and Ukraine, where aid convoys have been repeatedly targeted.
Gaza remains deadliest theater
The database identified the Gaza Strip as the most lethal environment for aid workers in 2025, with 186 humanitarian staff killed there. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has recorded at least 393 staff deaths since the Israel‑Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. Israel, which is engaged in combat with Hamas militants in Gaza, says it takes extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties, though the high number of aid‑worker deaths suggests the conflict remains extremely hazardous.
Calls for stronger protections
U.N. Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence, urging all parties to respect the rules of war and hold perpetrators accountable. “Serving others has become more dangerous than ever,” he said ahead of World Humanitarian Day ceremonies, during which flags will fly at half‑staff in New York and Geneva in honor of those who have died.
UNRWA’s former chief Philippe Lazzarini announced plans to seek a high‑level panel to investigate staff deaths. Bushra Khalidi, global humanitarian policy lead at Oxfam, called the situation an “assault on humanitarian action itself,” urging the international community to provide greater protection for aid workers.
The United Nations hopes that increased awareness and stronger enforcement of international humanitarian law will curb the rising tide of attacks. Until then, humanitarian organizations continue to operate in some of the world’s most dangerous environments, striving to deliver aid despite the heightened risks.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
