Gaza remained the world’s deadliest location for humanitarian workers for a third consecutive year, with 186 aid personnel killed there during 2025, according to the United Nations.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released the figures on Wednesday to mark World Humanitarian Day. Sudan ranked second, where 71 humanitarian workers were killed during the year.
Globally, 907 aid workers were killed, wounded or kidnapped in 2025, setting another record for violence against humanitarian personnel, according to data from Humanitarian Outcomes’ Aid Worker Security Database.
While the worldwide number of aid workers killed declined slightly to 350, OCHA warned there was little indication that the broader threat facing humanitarian personnel was diminishing. Another 322 workers were injured and 235 kidnapped during the year.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said more than 1,000 aid workers had been killed worldwide over the past three years, describing the scale of the losses as unacceptable.
He called on governments to uphold international humanitarian law and strengthen protection for civilians and humanitarian personnel, while stressing that those responsible for violations should face consequences.
The danger has continued into 2026, with the UN reporting that at least 82 humanitarian workers have been killed, 97 injured and 39 kidnapped worldwide so far this year.
The figures underscore the growing risks faced by humanitarian personnel operating in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, where aid workers continue to provide assistance amid prolonged violence and humanitarian crises.