Attacks on aid workers hit record high in 2025, UN says

GENEVA: In 2025, an unprecedented number of humanitarian workers faced attacks, according to the United Nations. The Aid Worker Security Database, backed by Canada and Australia, recorded 907 incidents, including killings, injuries, and kidnappings. This figure marked the highest on record, up from 833 in 2024. Of the total attacks, 350 resulted in fatalities, a slight decline from the 387 deaths reported in 2024.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed distress over the surge in violence and called upon nations to abide by the rules of war, demanding accountability for the perpetrators. Serving humanity has become increasingly perilous, Guterres lamented, with UN aid chief Tom Fletcher attributing the rise to the proliferation of affordable and versatile armed drones in conflicts.

Notably, drone strikes in March targeted Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in at least three fatalities, including a French humanitarian. Aid convoys in Sudan and Ukraine have also been repeatedly targeted. Gaza emerged as the deadliest location for humanitarian workers in 2025, with 186 killed, followed by Sudan.

The UN Palestinian refugee agency reported a staggering 393 staff deaths since the Israel-Gaza war commenced on October 7, 2023. Israel, waging war against Hamas in Gaza, maintains it takes utmost care to avoid civilian casualties. Former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has called for a high-level panel to investigate staff deaths.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam's global humanitarian policy lead, warned that the attacks represent an assault on humanitarian efforts themselves.