Aid worker fatalities reached an all-time high in 2024, with 281 victims reported, surpassing the previous record of 280 in 2023, the UN said Friday.
The Gaza conflict accounted for 178 deaths, making it the UN’s deadliest crisis. Sudan followed with 25 fatalities, according to the Aid Worker Security database.
“This violence is unconscionable,” stated UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, calling for accountability and adherence to international law. Most victims were local staff, with 13 international workers also killed.
Despite legal protections, prosecutions for such attacks remain rare, raising concerns about impunity and aid access.