The United Nations reports that humanitarian aid workers face a record level of attacks in 2025, describing the trend as “appalling.” The UN says 907 aid workers are killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, compared with 833 in 2024, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
Across the sources, the record is linked to worsening security conditions and evolving tactics. The UN notes that the increase is driven partly by greater use of armed drones. While total incidents rise, deaths are reported as 350 in 2025, slightly lower than 387 in the previous year.
Al Jazeera adds regional context, saying Gaza remains the deadliest location for humanitarian workers for a third consecutive year. It reports 186 aid workers are killed in Gaza in 2025, highlighting where the highest concentration of fatalities occurs. Other outlets focus more broadly on the global totals and the UN’s attribution to changes in attack methods.
