Overview
- The Aid Worker Security Database recorded 907 aid workers killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, the highest annual total on record.
- Of those incidents in 2025, 350 aid workers were killed, a slight drop from 387 in 2024, while injuries and kidnappings rose overall.
- Gaza was the deadliest context in 2025 with 186 humanitarian deaths and UNRWA reports at least 393 staff killed since October 7, 2023.
- Early 2026 figures reported by OCHA show the trend continuing with 82 aid workers killed, 97 injured and 39 kidnapped so far this year.
- UN leaders and humanitarian groups blame the rapid spread of cheap weaponized drones for raising civilian and aid-worker risk and are pressing states to investigate deaths, enforce the laws of war and strengthen protections.