Never before have so many dead humanitarian workers been counted as in 2023 – and this year things are not looking any better. Representatives of humanitarian organizations warn of an era of impunity.
Mainly due to devastating attacks in the Gaza war, the United Nations counted more deaths among humanitarian workers in conflicts in 2023 than ever before. 280 aid workers were killed in 33 countries, reported the UN emergency relief office Ocha. This makes it the deadliest year for the global humanitarian community since counting began.
In comparison, there were 118 deaths among aid workers in the previous year. The current year, 2024, could be even deadlier. Monday is World Humanitarian Day.
Air strikes on Gaza are primarily to blame for the rising trend
The main reason for this drastic increase is the beginning of the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, it is said. Since the devastating terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas in October last year, almost 300 aid workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip alone, mainly in air strikes. Most of the victims were employees of the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. In the past, the United Nations has repeatedly expressed its dismay at the deaths of employees as a result of Israeli shelling or bombing.
According to the preliminary count of a database on which the UN relies, there are indications that the number of humanitarian workers killed in 2024 could be even higher. 172 aid workers had already fallen victim to global conflicts by the beginning of August. In addition to the war in Gaza, conflicts and violence in Sudan and South Sudan in particular contributed to this. The dead were often local employees of aid organizations.
Open letter to the UN General Assembly
Leading representatives of hundreds of humanitarian organizations have therefore addressed a joint letter to the 193 member states of the UN General Assembly on the occasion of World Day. In the letter, they call on the international community to end attacks on civilians, protect aid workers and hold perpetrators more accountable.
The normalization of violence against aid workers and the lack of accountability are unacceptable, unforgivable and damaging to global aid efforts, said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya. Decisive action with more than just statements is needed, the letter says, because such attacks also fuel problems such as food insecurity, displacement and the spread of infectious diseases, with impacts that go beyond conflict areas.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
