Record Violence Against Aid Workers: UN Reports Alarming Statistics

On World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed a staggering increase in violence against aid workers. According to an article published yesterday by reliefweb, 280 aid workers were killed across 33 countries in 2023, marking a 137% rise from the previous year, when 118 fatalities were recorded.

The report highlights that over half of the 2023 deaths occurred in just three months amid escalating hostilities in Gaza, primarily due to airstrikes. Additionally, extreme violence in Sudan and South Sudan has significantly contributed to the tragic toll.

It also notes that 2024 may be on track for an even deadlier outcome. As of 7 August, 172 aid workers have been killed, according to the provisional count from the Aid Worker Security Database.

Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, condemned the normalization of violence against aid workers, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.

In response, humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to take action to protect aid workers and civilians, calling for an end to attacks and demanding accountability for perpetrators. The campaign #ActforHumanity aims to amplify these critical messages globally.