On World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations has issued a stark condemnation of the escalating violence against humanitarian workers, revealing that 280 aid workers were killed globally in 2023—a record number that marks a troubling increase of 137 percent from the previous year. This surge in violence underscores the extreme risks faced by those dedicated to providing aid in conflict zones and underscores the urgent need for global action to protect these essential workers.
Joyce Msuya, acting director of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), expressed grave concern over what she termed the “normalization of violence” against aid workers. In a statement released on August 19, Msuya condemned the lack of accountability for these attacks, emphasizing that such violence is “unacceptable, unconscionable, and enormously harmful” to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The increase in fatalities in 2023 has been attributed to escalating conflicts and a dangerous trend of targeting those providing critical support in war-torn regions.
The Aid Worker Security Database, which has tracked violence against aid workers since 1997, reported that the majority of the fatalities in 2023 occurred in Gaza. Over half of the aid worker deaths, totaling 163, were recorded in Gaza during the initial months of the Israel-Hamas war, primarily due to air strikes. This tragic statistic highlights the severe impact of ongoing conflicts on humanitarian operations and the extreme dangers faced by local staff working in these volatile environments.
South Sudan and Sudan are also noted as perilous regions for aid workers, with 34 and 25 deaths respectively. Both countries have been plagued by protracted conflicts—South Sudan’s civil strife and Sudan’s internal war between rival generals—which have created hazardous conditions for humanitarian operations. The violence in these regions reflects broader patterns of risk affecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
The situation is equally dire in other conflict-ridden areas. Israel and Syria each recorded seven aid worker deaths, while Ethiopia and Ukraine experienced six fatalities each. Somalia reported five deaths, and Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo each saw four aid worker fatalities. The trend is alarming as these conflicts not only endanger the lives of humanitarian workers but also disrupt crucial aid delivery to vulnerable populations.
Despite the already high number of aid worker fatalities in 2023, there are fears that 2024 could see an even greater number of deaths. As of August 9, 176 aid workers have been killed this year alone, suggesting that the crisis is far from resolved. The ongoing violence, particularly in Gaza, where more than 280 aid workers have been killed since October 2023, underscores the urgent need for improved protection measures and accountability.
In response to this crisis, humanitarian leaders have united in a call to action, urging UN member states to take definitive steps to end attacks on civilians, safeguard aid workers, and hold those responsible for such violence accountable. This appeal comes as the UN marks World Humanitarian Day, a day of remembrance and advocacy for the safety of aid workers globally. The date commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which killed 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN special representative to Iraq.
The increasing violence against humanitarian workers serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those on the front lines of crisis response and the urgent need for the international community to ensure their protection. The UN’s call for action is a critical step towards addressing these challenges and ensuring that aid workers can continue their vital work in some of the world’s most dangerous and complex environments.
