The UN denounces international apathy in the face of humanitarian deaths, which reach an unprecedented level
This is an unprecedented number: 383 humanitarian workers were killed in 2024, announced on Tuesday the United Nations (UN), which qualifies these figures and the impunity which accompanies them as“Shameful expression” international apathy. This figure represents an increase of 31 % compared to that of 2023 – which was already a sad record -, explain the United Nations on the occasion of World Humanitarian Aid Day. He is “Fueled by incessant conflicts in Gaza, where 181 humanitarian workers were killed, and in Sudan, where 60 lost their lives”.
According to the UN, most of these murders in 2024 were perpetrated by state actors and most of the killed are local employees, attacked either in service or at home. Three hundred and eight humanitarian workers were also injured, 125 kidnapped and 45 detainees last year. “Even a single attack on a humanitarian colleague is an attack on us all and against those we servesaid deputy secretary general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher. Attacks of this magnitude, with zero sanction, are the shameful expression of international inaction and apathy. »»
“As a humanitarian community, we ask – again – that those with power and influence act for humanity, protect civilians and humanitarian workers and reflect the authors” Violence against them, he added. Provisional figures from the Aid Worker Security Database database show that on August 14, 265 humanitarian workers have already been killed since the start of 2025.
The UN recalls that attacks on workers or humanitarian operations constitute violations of international humanitarian law and sabothed the salvation boards on which millions of people trapped in war or disaster are dependent. “Violence against humanitarian workers is not inevitable. They must stop “said Mr. Fletcher, also coordinator of UN emergency emergency.
At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it has recorded more than 800 attacks aimed at healthcare services in 16 territories, which have killed more than 1,100 medical professionals and patients. “Each attack inflicts lasting damage, deprives entire communities of vital care when they need it most, endangers those who provide this care and weakens health systems already at the end”underlines the WHO.