Hundreds of humanitarian workers killed in 2025

The 2025 killings brought the number of victims of violence against those who deliver aid to the civilian population to 1010 in three years, Fides stated.

More than half of these have lost their lives in Gaza and the West Bank (560), with other totals reaching 130 in Sudan’s forgotten war, 60 in South Sudan, 25 in Ukraine and a similar number in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Airstrikes, especially in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine, are the leading cause of fatalities. In Africa, however, the primary cause is small arms in the hands of military or paramilitary forces.

The death toll is one consequence of widespread violence that registers at least 600 incidents a year, including kidnappings, serious injuries, arrests and detentions.

Kidnappings have increased in South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria and Sudan. But, in general, the number of arrests and detentions of humanitarian workers by state and local authorities has also increased, as a means of exerting pressure and control over organisations operating on the ground.

The humanitarian aid sector continues to suffer greatly from the freeze on almost all funds destined for development and aid in crisis areas. Fides reports that situation arose out of a decision by US President Donald Trump last year.

Many programmes have been forced to close, and many have been forced to drastically cut everything, including staff security. Furthermore, Washington’s decision has reinforced the narrative that portrays the UN and international agencies as essentially ineffective (and even corrupt), fuelling criticism and propaganda against them.

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The silent massacre of humanitarian workers (By Cosimo Graziani/Fides)