Overview
- On Wednesday the UN published data showing 907 humanitarian workers were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, with 350 killed that year and violence continuing into 2026.
- Gaza was the deadliest location in 2025 with 186 aid workers killed and Sudan was second with 71 fatalities, while non-fatal attacks included 322 injured and 235 kidnapped.
- The UN said armed drones are a major new driver of harm and reported that drones accounted for about 80% of civilian deaths in Sudan in the first four months of 2026.
- South Sudan has seen a sharp surge in 2026 with at least 36 humanitarian staff and contractors killed since January, exceeding the country’s total for all of 2025 and forcing some aid agencies to withdraw.
- Humanitarian leaders warned that rising attacks, drone strikes, state detentions and funding shortfalls are restricting access to people in need and called for investigations, stronger protection and enforcement of international humanitarian law.