Geneva, Switzerland (HRNW): Humanitarian organizations around the world are marking World Humanitarian Day on 19 August 2026 amid unprecedented concern over the safety of aid workers. New figures reported by the United Nations show that 907 humanitarian workers were killed, injured, or kidnapped during 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel.
According to the latest figures, 350 aid workers were killed in 2025, compared with 387 deaths recorded in 2024. The United Nations has warned that humanitarian personnel are increasingly exposed to attacks in conflict zones, including incidents involving armed drones and attacks on humanitarian convoys.
Gaza was identified as the deadliest location for humanitarian workers in 2025, with 186 aid workers reported killed. The situation has also placed humanitarian personnel at severe risk in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other conflict-affected regions.
Save the Children has separately highlighted the disproportionate danger faced by national humanitarian workers. Its analysis found approximately 3,496 national aid workers were victims of major attacks between August 2021 and July 2026, compared with 134 international staff.
Humanitarian organizations are using World Humanitarian Day to call for stronger protection of aid workers, respect for international humanitarian law, safe humanitarian access, and accountability for attacks against humanitarian personnel.
The campaign also recognizes the millions of humanitarian workers who continue providing food, medical care, shelter, education, protection, clean water, and emergency assistance despite increasingly dangerous operating conditions.
The United Nations has urged all parties to armed conflicts to respect humanitarian principles and protect those delivering life-saving assistance to civilians.
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Disclaimer
This HRNW report is based on publicly available information from the United Nations, Save the Children, the Aid Worker Security Database, and other reliable sources. Figures concerning attacks on humanitarian workers may be updated as additional incidents are verified. The report is published solely for journalistic and informational purposes. HRNW maintains complete editorial independence.
