Last year saw an alarming rise in violence, with 280 aid workers losing their lives across 33 nations, as per a UN report. This disconcerting trend made 2023 the most perilous year for the global humanitarian sector, as stated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The United Nations strongly criticized the appalling degree of violence against humanitarian aid workers.
"The escalating acceptance of violence and impunity are utterly inexcusable and highly detrimental to aid initiatives worldwide," asserted acting OCHA chief Joyce Msuya on World Humanitarian Day, marking August 19th.
The report indicated a staggering 137% increase in fatalities compared to 2022, where 118 aid workers were killed. OCHA expressed concerns that the global count of killed humanitarian workers could surge even further in 2024. By August 9th, a total of 176 aid workers had already fallen victim to violence worldwide. The organization relies on the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), which has been maintaining these statistics since 1997.
According to the UN, over half of the 2023 aid worker deaths – 163 – took place during the initial three months of the conflict between Israel and the radical Islamic group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Last year alone, 25 and 34 humanitarian workers were slain in Sudan and South Sudan, respectively. Aid workers also lost their lives in Israel, Syria, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Somalia, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Majority of the victims were local aid workers.
In response, numerous humanitarian organizations planned to send a letter to UN member states on August 19th, urging the global community to "halt assaults on civilians, protect all humanitarian workers, and bring perpetrators to justice." The UN marks World Humanitarian Day annually to commemorate its Baghdad headquarters attack in 2003, which claimed 22 lives and left 150 humanitarian workers injured.
Other humanitarian organizations around the world have expressed their concern over the rising trend, urging for stringent measures to prevent such incidents. Despite the increase in security measures, other aid workers continue to face dangerous situations and potential harm.