350 humanitarian aid workers killed in crisis zones last year, Gaza most dangerous

Humanitarian aid workers continue to face extreme danger in crisis zones, with 350 workers losing their lives in the line of duty globally in 2025. This figure, compiled by the Aid Worker Security Database operated by Humanitarian Outcomes, highlights the perilous conditions faced by those providing essential assistance.

The Gaza Strip emerged as the deadliest location for aid workers, accounting for more than half of the total fatalities. In 2025, 186 aid workers were killed in the Palestinian territory, a grim consequence of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The database, which has tracked security incidents against aid workers since 1997, indicates that 2024 was even more lethal, with 387 aid workers dying in 2024.

Beyond Gaza, the Sudan civil war, which erupted in April 2023, also proved deadly, claiming the lives of 71 aid workers during humanitarian operations. The data also reveals that over 99 percent of aid workers killed in these crisis zones are local staff, underscoring the immense risks faced by those embedded within their own communities.

Despite international humanitarian law protecting aid workers, they frequently become targets of attacks. Boris Breyer, spokesperson for SOS Children's Villages, emphasized the unacceptable reality: "Humanitarian workers are repeatedly exposed to attacks. This is an unacceptable situation that must end." The Aid Worker Security Database, based in the UK, is considered a key resource for assessing the safety of humanitarian personnel worldwide.

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Humanitarian workers are repeatedly exposed to attacks. This is an unacceptable situation that must end.