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Record Number of Aid Workers Killed in 2024: A "Shameful Indictment" of International Inaction

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A devastating report by the United Nations has highlighted the alarming rise in attacks against aid workers in 2024, with a record 383 workers killed, a 31% increase from the previous year. The majority of those killed were local staff, who were either attacked in the line of duty or in their homes. The UN has strongly condemned the violence, labelling it a "shameful indictment" of international apathy and inaction. The report comes as the world marks World Humanitarian Day, which commemorates the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad that killed UN rights chief Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 other humanitarians.

Key Takeaways:

  • A record 383 aid workers were killed in 2024, a 31% increase from the previous year.
  • State actors were the most common perpetrators of the killings in 2024.
  • Most of those killed were local staff, who were either attacked in the line of duty or in their homes.
  • Besides those killed, 308 aid workers were wounded, 125 kidnapped and 45 detained last year.
  • Provisional figures from the Aid Worker Security Database show that 265 aid workers have been killed this year, as of August 14.
  • The UN reiterated that attacks on aid workers and operations violate international humanitarian law and damage the lifelines sustaining millions of people trapped in war and disaster zones.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified more than 800 attacks on health care in 16 territories so far this year, with more than 1,110 health workers and patients killed and hundreds injured.
  • Attacks on aid workers and operations are not inevitable and must end, according to UN aid chief Tom Fletcher.

Statistics:

  • 383 aid workers were killed in 2024
  • 31% increase in aid worker killings in 2024 compared to the previous year
  • 265 aid workers killed this year, as of August 14
  • 308 aid workers wounded in 2024
  • 125 aid workers kidnapped in 2024
  • 45 aid workers detained in 2024
  • Over 800 attacks on health care in 16 territories so far this year
  • Over 1,110 health workers and patients killed in these attacks
  • Hundreds of people injured in these attacks

Sources:

  • United Nations
  • Aid Worker Security Database
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Radio France Internationale

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