Key facts
- A record 907 humanitarian workers were attacked in 2025.
- 350 aid workers were killed in 2025.
- Gaza was the deadliest location for aid workers in 2025, with 186 killed.
- The increase in attacks is partly driven by the use of armed drones.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the trend appalling and urged states to respect the rules of war.
A record number of humanitarian workers faced attacks in 2025, with 907 individuals killed, injured, or kidnapped, according to data compiled by the Aid Worker Security Database. This figure represents an increase from 833 incidents the previous year. While the number of fatalities saw a slight decrease to 350 from a record 387 in 2024, the overall trend was described as "appalling" by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the growing threat posed by the proliferation of affordable and adaptable armed drones in conflict zones, which has contributed to the heightened risks for aid personnel. Specific incidents cited include drone strikes in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and repeated attacks on aid convoys in Sudan and Ukraine.
Gaza emerged as the most dangerous location for aid workers in 2025, with 186 humanitarians killed there. The UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has reported a significant toll, with at least 393 staff members killed since the conflict with Hamas began on October 7, 2023. Israel has stated it takes measures to avoid civilian casualties.
Bushra Khalidi, global humanitarian policy lead at Oxfam, called for enhanced protections for aid workers, characterizing the situation as an "assault on humanitarian action itself."