At least 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives worldwide last year, marking another tragic year of violence against aid workers, according to the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a slight decrease in the death toll compared to 2024, which was the most deadly year on record with 387 aid workers killed globally. Additionally, in 2025, 322 aid workers sustained injuries in attacks, and 235 were abducted, as per the Aid Worker Security Database.
UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalating risks faced by humanitarian workers, emphasizing that serving others has become increasingly perilous. The Gaza Strip retained its status as the most dangerous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 fatalities in the midst of Israel’s conflict in the Palestinian enclave, as highlighted by OCHA.
In Sudan, 71 aid workers fell victim to violence in 2025 amid an ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since 2023. The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, condemned the unacceptable toll of over 1,000 aid worker deaths in the past three years, calling for strict adherence to international humanitarian law and robust measures to safeguard civilians and humanitarian staff.
As of this year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 abducted. The UN raised alarm over the increasing use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing their involvement in attacks on markets and health facilities in Sudan, contributing to a significant portion of civilian casualties. Fletcher emphasized the detrimental impact of weaponized drones on civilian lives, labeling them as a modern threat to civilian populations in conflict areas.