New York, August 24, 2025, 03:19 PM PKT — The United Nations is urgently calling for global action to protect humanitarian workers, following a record 245 major attacks this year. This urgent plea highlights the increasing dangers faced by aid workers in conflict zones worldwide.
Record Violence Against Humanitarian Workers
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading this appeal due to heightened violence in hotspots such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. Attacks on aid workers are becoming both more frequent and deadly, reaching alarming levels.
Joyce Msuya, OCHA’s Assistant Secretary-General, addressed the UN Security Council with concerning statistics on humanitarian workers’ safety. She noted that 95% of attacks in 2024 targeted local aid workers.
In Gaza alone, over 900 aid site deaths were reported, marking one of the deadliest periods for humanitarian personnel in recent times.
Growing Security Risks for Field Personnel
“Being shot at is not part of our job,” Msuya stated, referring to insights from the Aid Worker Security Database. This statement underscores the daily risks faced by humanitarian workers while delivering vital aid to vulnerable populations.
The database provides comprehensive tracking of global incidents involving aid personnel, with 2025 data indicating a significant rise in violence against those providing relief in active conflict zones.
UN Demands Stronger Enforcement of International Law
The UN is advocating for strict enforcement of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949, designed to safeguard humanitarian workers in conflict areas.
The resolution demands accountability from both state and non-state actors violating these protections. Key issues include:
- Armed forces attacking aid convoys
- Militant groups targeting humanitarian sites
- Entities obstructing humanitarian operations
Tenfold Increase in Attacks Since 1990s
Reports from Humanitarian Outcomes indicate a tenfold increase in attacks since the 1990s, with a rise in involvement by state-led militaries. This marks a significant shift from past trends, where non-state actors were chiefly responsible.
Msuya called for global cooperation to restore respect for humanitarian law. She emphasized the importance of protecting aid workers to maintain humanitarian access to crisis-affected communities.
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