The United Nations(UN) has condemned the killing of 383 aid workers worldwide in 2024, with nearly half of these deaths occurring in Gaza.
Marking World Humanitarian Day, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described the statistics as a “shameful indictment of international inaction and apathy”. The number of aid worker killings rose by 31% from 2023, driven primarily by conflicts in Gaza and Sudan.
Fletcher emphasized that attacks on aid workers are unacceptable, stating, “Even one attack against a humanitarian colleague is an attack on all of us and on the people we serve.” He urged those with power and influence to act for humanity, protect civilians and aid workers, and hold perpetrators accountable.
“As the humanitarian community, we demand – again – that those with power and influence act for humanity, protect civilians and aid workers and hold perpetrators to account,” Fletcher said.
Gaza was the deadliest place for aid workers, with 181 humanitarian workers killed, followed by Sudan, where 60 aid workers lost their lives.
According to the UN, most of those killed were local staff who were either attacked while on duty or in their homes.
The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 800 verified attacks on healthcare facilities in 16 territories this year, resulting in more than 1,110 health workers and patients killed or injured.
The WHO highlighted the devastating impact of these attacks, stating, “each attack inflicts lasting harm, deprives entire communities of lifesaving care when they need it the most, endangers healthcare providers and weakens already strained health systems.”
One notable incident in Gaza involved Israeli troops opening fire on clearly marked vehicles carrying medics and emergency responders, killing 15 aid workers. The Israeli army then drove bulldozers over the bodies, burying them in a mass grave.
The Aid Worker Security Database, which tracks UN reports, recorded 293 aid worker killings in 2023.
Provisional figures for this year show 265 aid workers have been killed as of August 14. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, paid tribute to the 168 UN staff members who lost their lives in 2024, including 126 personnel killed in Gaza.
Guterres emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “We will not accept the killing of humanitarians, journalists, medical workers, or civilians as the new normal anywhere and under any circumstances. There must be no room for impunity.”
The international community has expressed concern over the rising toll of aid worker killings. Narda Cupidore, president of the UN Staff Union in New York, echoed Guterres’ sentiments, saying, “let this honouring be more than a moment of silence. Let it be a call for action. A call to protect those who serve. A call to ensure that anyone who serves under the blue flag does so with the full protection, support and respect.”