Geneva (Web Desk): The toll on humanitarian workers in 2024 has reached a devastating new peak, with 281 lives lost globally—making this year the deadliest on record, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported Friday.
The escalating violence has exceeded previous records, underscoring the severe risks faced by those providing aid in conflict zones.
"Humanitarian workers, driven by their unwavering courage and commitment to humanity, are being met with unimaginable violence—bullets, bombs, and relentless threats," said Tom Fletcher, the UN's newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
"This level of violence is both unjustifiable and catastrophic, obstructing essential aid efforts and endangering countless lives," Fletcher added.
The majority of these fatalities have been linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where at least 333 humanitarian personnel have lost their lives since October 7, 2023.
The bulk of those killed were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a critical agency providing services to Palestinian refugees.
The Aid Worker Security Database confirmed that 10 national staff were killed in Gaza alone in November, contributing to the grim tally.
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke noted that the vast majority of victims are national staff working with UN agencies, NGOs, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, with 268 national staff and 13 international staff members among the dead.
As violence spreads, the threats facing aid workers are not confined to Gaza.
"Humanitarian personnel continue to risk their lives in conflict zones such as Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Yemen, among others," Laerke said, emphasizing that with more than a month left in the year, 2024's death toll has already surpassed the previous high of 280 fatalities in 2023.
The dangers facing aid workers extend beyond fatalities. Humanitarian staff are also experiencing escalating violence, including kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention, especially in regions like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Ukraine.
"This violence is more than just numbers on a page. These are our colleagues, our friends, whose lives are being taken at an alarming rate," Laerke stated.
"They embody the best of humanity—working tirelessly in the most challenging circumstances—and they are paying the ultimate price for it."
The rising violence against aid workers mirrors a broader trend of civilian suffering in conflict zones. Last year alone, over 33,000 civilian deaths were recorded across 14 major conflicts, marking a staggering 72% increase from 2022.
Despite the mounting dangers, humanitarian organizations continue to provide life-saving assistance. Last year, these efforts reached nearly 144 million people globally, underscoring the resilience and commitment of aid workers.
In response to the escalating attacks, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2730 (2024), which mandates the Secretary-General to propose stronger measures to protect aid workers and prevent further violence.
These recommendations are expected to be presented during a Security Council session on November 26.
“States and parties to conflict must uphold their obligations under international law, protect humanitarian personnel, and bring those responsible for these attacks to justice," Fletcher concluded. "We cannot allow this era of impunity to continue."