In a heart-wrenching turn of events, 2024 has become the deadliest year on record for aid workers worldwide, with 281 fatalities reported so far 😢, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
\"Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs,\" said Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. \"This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations.\"
Last year, 2023, already saw a record high with 280 aid workers killed across 33 countries. But as OCHA points out, \"it isn't even December\", and the numbers have surpassed last year's grim tally.
The situation is particularly dire in conflict zones like Gaza, where more than 320 humanitarian personnel have been killed since October 7, 2023. Many of them were providing vital assistance and were staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Most of the aid workers killed this year were local heroes working with NGOs, UN agencies, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. They faced high levels of violence, kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention in countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and others.
This surge in violence against aid workers reflects a broader trend of increasing civilian casualties in conflict zones. Last year, over 33,000 civilian deaths were recorded in 14 armed conflicts—an astonishing 72% increase from 2022.
Despite these dangers, relief organizations continue to step up, reaching nearly 144 million people in need last year. Talk about real-life superheroes! 🦸♀️🦸♂️
In response to the growing threats, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2730 in May. This resolution mandates the UN secretary-general to recommend measures to prevent and respond to such incidents, enhance accountability, and improve protection for humanitarian personnel and assets.
It's time for the world to stand up and protect those who risk everything to help others. Let's not let their courage be met with silence. ✊
Reference(s):
UN: 2024 is worst year on record for deaths of global aid workers
cgtn.com
