UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United Nations revealed alarming statistics indicating that over 1,000 humanitarian workers have been killed globally in the past three years, marking a nearly threefold increase compared to the preceding three years. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher addressed the U.N. Security Council, characterizing this rise in fatalities as a clear indication of the “collapse of protection” for aid workers.
Fletcher reported that from 2023 to 2025, more than 1,010 humanitarian workers lost their lives, with over 560 of those deaths occurring in Gaza and the West Bank. Other regions affected include Sudan, which recorded 130 deaths; South Sudan with 60; and Ukraine and Congo, each with 25 fatalities. This surge is starkly contrasted by the reported 377 aid workers who were killed between 2020 and 2022, indicating a drastic increase in violence against those providing critical assistance.
A significant contributor to this crisis is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas that escalated in October 2023. Although a ceasefire was established in October 2025, sporadic shootings and airstrikes have continued to impact the safety of humanitarian workers operating in these conflict zones.
According to Fletcher, the year 2024 was particularly deadly, with a record 383 aid workers killed while attempting to deliver essential services such as food, water, shelter, and medicine across 21 countries. Many of these individuals were killed while operating in clearly marked convoys and under missions coordinated with local authorities, which raises serious concerns regarding accountability and the protection of humanitarian personnel.
The U.N. Security Council recently met to review a resolution adopted in May 2024 that strongly condemned attacks on humanitarian workers and U.N. personnel, urging all combatants to adhere to international law to protect them. During the meeting, Fletcher posed critical questions to the 15-member Council regarding the apparent disregard for humanitarian safety: Are these killings disregarded as “collateral damage” in the fog of war? Are humanitarian workers now viewed as legitimate targets? If the deaths were deemed preventable, why were steps taken to avert them not implemented?
Fletcher highlighted more than just fatalities; he emphasized that humanitarian workers are facing increasing restrictions, penalties, and delegitimization in their roles. He pointed out the situation in Yemen, where 73 U.N. staff members and numerous others from non-governmental organizations have been arbitrarily detained by Houthi rebels. In Afghanistan, female humanitarian staff are prohibited from performing their duties, while in Gaza, Israeli restrictions significantly limit the operations of U.N. and international charities. Additionally, ongoing drone attacks in Ukraine have compelled aid workers to retreat from frontline positions.
“These troubling trends, coupled with a significant decrease in funding for our lifesaving initiatives, reflect a lawless, aggressive, and violent global climate,” Fletcher stated. He challenged the U.N.'s 193 member nations to adhere to the demands of the 2024 resolution, underscoring the need to enhance the protection afforded to humanitarian workers and to ensure accountability for the crimes committed against them.
In summary, the increasingly perilous conditions for humanitarian workers worldwide necessitate urgent action from international bodies and member states to reinstate crucial protections and address the root causes of violence in conflict areas.
