This year is on track to be the deadliest on record, with 256 aid workers already killed in deliberate attacks. The number of aid workers killed so far in 2025 has increased by almost 50% compared to the same period in 2024.
Despite these shocking numbers, taking place in the context of increasing crimes against humanity across many conflicts, accountability remains almost non-existent as world leaders fail to hold perpetrators to account. A lack of political will to adequately address violations of international humanitarian law means many incidents are not even appropriately reported, investigated or prosecuted.
The vast majority of aid workers killed in attacks are national staff – 97% in 2025. Local organisations and aid workers continue to bear the burden of risks.
Since 2022, the number of aid workers killed annually has more than doubled. The increase has largely been driven by the Israeli military’s attacks on aid workers in Gaza. Over 180 aid workers have been killed this year in the Occupied Palestinian Territories alone.
Palestinian aid workers are not just targets. Like the entire population in Gaza, they are struggling to find enough food, water and medicine to survive as the deliberate obstruction and weaponisation of aid have caused famine.
Samah, a malnutrition expert working for CARE in Deir Al-Balah said: “How can I talk about my safety as a humanitarian worker when all I think about every day is my children and family’s safety. Children in Gaza are being denied health, education, food, dignity, and safety. My children and I are being starved.”
Samah previously was unable to commute to work due to the threat of sniper fire at checkpoints, adding: “The dangers that humanitarian workers face in Gaza are not just limited to the nature of our work. They are weaved into the lives of everyone in Gaza, turning every day into a fight for survival.”
In Sudan, where women and girls face the constant threat of systematic conflict-related sexual violence among other forms of egregious deliberate attacks against civilians, over 100 aid workers have been killed since the onset of conflict in April 2023, including 60 so far this year.
Berima, a CARE Sudan staff member, was forced to flee Khartoum in the earliest days of the war under heavy shelling as armed groups roamed the city. Eventually, he managed to reunite with his family in South Darfur.
Berima said: “My family were not able to sleep as they were so afraid of what was happening. It was very dangerous in our town and moving around to find food or water could get you shot. My road was hit heavily by shelling and neighbours were killed by bombs.” Berima’s wife, a doctor, kept working despite the threat of violence. “I was terrified that she would be taken. Doctors were a target.”
Yuliia Hladka, Programme Manager at Winds of Change in Ukraine, warned that many local and national staff are experiencing profound psychological exhaustion, while some have faced the threat of kidnapping and torture.
Yuliia said: “Local and national staff in Ukraine are often the first responders and remain in areas where international staff cannot work. They face risks such as shelling, harassment at checkpoints, limited evacuation options and surveillance. To support them, it is important to prioritize psychosocial support, provide security training, ensure fair compensation and offer avenues for rest and recovery.”
She added: “Women humanitarian workers in Ukraine often face harassment, both online and in person. Despite these risks, women are indispensable to humanitarian response, especially when working with vulnerable populations such as children, survivors of gender-based violence and displaced women.”
Deepmala Mahla, CARE’s Global Humanitarian Director, said: “Attacks on aid workers are illegal and unacceptable. These crimes cannot continue unpunished. We are witnessing a disturbing trend of blatant violations of international humanitarian law. The perpetrators must be held to account, as well as the world leaders who have consistently failed to take sufficient action to prevent these attacks.“
Deepmala added: “The humanitarian system is under attack. Funding is cut, aid routes are blocked, visas and permits for staff and registrations for organisations are denied, women humanitarian workers are banned from working and we face more sophisticated smear campaigns, mis- and dis-information about our work every day. In this context, it is no surprise that record numbers of aid workers are killed year after year. Attempts to prevent humanitarians from doing our jobs are not only death sentences for aid staff but also for the people we are trying to assist. Yet, our work has impact. Aid saves lives, and restores hope and dignity.”
CARE continues to urge conflict parties to respect their obligation to protect humanitarian workers. We urge Third States to put an end to prevailing impunity and ensure accountability. States must unequivocally and publicly condemn attacks on humanitarians. Concerted diplomacy is required to negotiate principled and safe aid access. We also need to see deliberate efforts to ensure the full, equal, safe and meaningful participation of women aid workers, including national and local staff, in humanitarian activities, including in decisions related to their safety and security.
ENDS
Notes
Data taken from the Aid Worker Security Database.
- In 2024, 861 aid workers were victims of major security incidents across 42 countries: 383 were killed, 308 wounded, 125 kidnapped and 45 detained or arrested.
- In 2025 (as of 14 August): 256 were killed, 115 wounded, 56 kidnapped and 31 detained or arrested.
For media enquiries contact Briony FitzGerald on 0404 117 927
About CARE International
CARE is a leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. From emergency response to long-term sustainable solutions, CARE is known for our unshakeable commitment to the dignity of all people. We work to support women and girls, so we can effectively address the root causes of poverty and create pathways to economic freedom for all. We do this in partnership with men and boys and community leaders locally, regionally, and globally. For nearly 80 years, CARE has been there, from the first CARE Packages® delivering relief in Europe after World War II, to every major global crisis since. Our long-term development programs and trusted local leadership continue to impact the lives of millions of people around the world.
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia is one member of the global CARE Confederation. CARE Australia supports women and girls around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women and girls to be educated and to earn an income, gain access to essential resources like food, health care and clean water, and to be able to withstand and recover from the increasing impacts of disasters, conflict and other crises. Our programs focus on women and girls because we know when one woman breaks the cycle of poverty she brings four others with her – and that’s a powerful multiplier of impact.
