2024 deadliest recorded year for aid workers, UN says
A record-high 281 aid workers have been killed globally this year, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for those in the profession, the UN aid chief said on November 22nd according to the Arab News via AFP on November 22nd.
“Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs,” said the United Nations’ new under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher.
READ: UN to bolster UNIFIL following expected truce
He said the “grim milestone was reached,” with more than a month left of 2024, surpassing the killing of 280 aid workers across 33 countries during all of 2023. “This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations,” Fletcher added.
His office said Israel’s devastating war in Gaza was driving up the numbers, with 333 aid worker deaths in territory since the war begab, most working for UN agency UNRWA which Israel recently banned.
“States and parties to conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible, and call time on this era of impunity,” Fletcher said.
READ: UNRWA head says ban will have “catastrophic consequences”
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution in May in response to the surging violence and threats against aid workers. The text called for recommendations from the UN chief, which are set to be presented at a council meeting next week, on measures to avoid and respond to such incidents and to increase protection for humanitarian staff and accountability for abuses.
AFP, UN News
