The grim milestone surpassed previous records.
“Humanitarian workers are being killed at unprecedented rates, their courage and humanity are being bombed,” speak Tom Fletcher, the new United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“This violence is unconscionable and devastating for aid operations,” he added.
The conflict in Gaza caused the death toll to skyrocket
The war in Gaza has sent casualties soaring, with at least 333 humanitarian workers killed since October 7, 2023. Most were staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
According to the latest entry in the Aid Worker Security Database, 10 national staff have been killed in Gaza alone this month.
“These numbers today will certainly send shock waves around our humanitarian community, especially on the frontline of the response,” OCHA Spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters Friday at a briefing in Geneva.
He noted that the majority of the casualties were national staff working for United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Red Crescent and Red Cross movements, with 268 personnel. national staff and 13 international staff were killed.
Threats to aid workers globally
As conflicts continue to escalate around the world, the dangers facing humanitarian workers are increasing outside Gaza.
“They are working courageously and selflessly in places like Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine and other conflicts,” Mr. Laerke said, noting that while 2024 is not yet over, the death toll is already surpassing last year’s record of 280 deaths.
“Threats to aid workers extend beyond Gaza,” he noted, explaining that there were “levels of violence, kidnapping, injury, harassment and arbitrary detention.” High levels were reported in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine and Yemen, among other countries.
The costs of international violence go beyond statistics. “Being a national humanitarian worker does not make them foreigners to us – it makes them colleagues and often friends,” Mr. Laerke emphasized.
“They represent the best care that humanity has to offer. And in return they are being killed in record numbers.”
Prevent attacks, increase protection
Violence against aid workers also reflects a broader pattern of civilian harm in conflict zones. Last year saw more than 33,000 civilians killed in 14 armed conflicts – a 72% increase compared to 2022.
Despite these challenges and dangers, humanitarian organizations continue to provide essential assistance, reaching nearly 144 million people in need last year.
To respond to this crisis, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2730 (2024)which authorizes the Secretary-General to propose measures to prevent attacks on aid workers and strengthen the protection of humanitarian workers.
These recommendations will be presented at the Security Council meeting on 26 November.
“Countries and parties to conflict must protect humanitarian action, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible and call time on this era of impunity,” Mr. Fletcher concluded. .
