UN laments 'unacceptable' toll of 350 aid workers killed in 2025
Since the start of 2026, 82 more aid workers have been killed, 97 injured and 39 abducted worldwide
The United Nations expressed deep concern over the unacceptable toll of 350 aid workers killed worldwide in 2025, with the highest fatalities occurring in Gaza and Sudan, the organization said on Monday. The death count was slightly lower than that of 2024, when 377 aid workers lost their lives. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited figures from a research and advisory group, Humanitarian Outcomes, marking World Humanitarian Day.
Gaza suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 186 aid workers killed, marking the third consecutive year as the deadliest place for humanitarian workers. Sudan followed with 71 deaths. Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, emphasized that the situation was utterly unacceptable, but merely highlighting the issue would not safeguard future aid workers.
Fletcher stressed that states must adhere to international humanitarian law and employ every measure to protect civilians and their colleagues. In 2026 alone, 82 aid workers were killed, 97 injured, and 39 abducted. OCHA expressed particular concern over the widespread use of armed drones, which are putting lethal power in the hands of more individuals and sending explosive weapons into populated areas.
In Sudan, armed drones were responsible for 80% of civilian deaths in the first four months of 2026, targeting markets and health facilities. Fletcher also noted casualties from drone attacks during the Russia-Ukraine war, describing weaponized drones as the new face of an old danger: the deliberate or reckless destruction of civilian life.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
