At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally last year, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, as reported by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that the death toll decreased slightly from the previous year, which had been the deadliest on record with 387 aid workers killed worldwide in 2024.
In addition to the fatalities, there were at least 322 aid workers injured in attacks in 2025, with 235 individuals being kidnapped, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the escalating danger faced by those serving others in a video message on World Humanitarian Day.
For the third consecutive year, the Gaza Strip maintained its position as the most perilous context for aid workers, with 186 fatalities last year amid Israel’s conflict in the Palestinian enclave, according to OCHA. Additionally, 71 aid workers lost their lives in Sudan in 2025 due to an ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since 2023.
UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, expressed deep concern over the significant number of aid worker casualties, stressing the urgent need for states to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. Fletcher emphasized the necessity for real consequences for those who violate humanitarian laws.
As of the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN also raised concerns about the use of armed drones in conflict zones, highlighting the alarming impact of drones in causing civilian casualties in Sudan and Ukraine.
Overall, the use of weaponized drones poses a significant threat to civilian lives, with Fletcher stating that these drones have become a new form of endangering civilian populations through deliberate or reckless actions.