Doha: An unprecedented escalation in the targeting of humanitarian workers was highlighted by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, who confirmed that at least 326 aid workers were killed in 21 countries during 2025. This brings the total number of victims over the past three years to more than 1,010.
According to Qatar News Agency, Fletcher briefed the UN Security Council on the protection of humanitarian workers and UN staff, explaining that more than 560 of those deaths occurred in Gaza and the West Bank over the past three years. Additionally, 130 deaths were reported in Sudan, 60 in South Sudan, 25 in Ukraine, and 25 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fletcher noted that the death toll has tripled over the past three years compared to the preceding period. He emphasized that this escalation is not a mere coincidence but rather a collapse of the protection system. The fatalities occurred while humanitarian workers were distributing food, water, shelter, and medicine, and even while traveling in clearly marked convoys and during missions directly coordinated with relevant authorities. These deaths indicate a reckless disregard by parties to the conflict for the lives of humanitarian workers.