Figures show that if trends continue 2024 could surpass this grim, historic high. 

A new report has found that 2023 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers with more overseas charity workers killed than ever before. 

In 2023, the world witnessed a devastating escalation in violence against aid workers, resulting in the highest number of fatalities ever recorded. 

According to the latest data from the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), 280 aid workers lost their lives in 33 countries, a statistic that underscores the increasing dangers faced by those committed to providing humanitarian assistance in conflict zones.

The conflict in Gaza was the most lethal, accounting for 163 of the total deaths, most of which occurred within the last three months of the year. 

These deaths were primarily the result of airstrikes, a reminder of the perils that aid workers face when operating in regions where the rules of war are frequently disregarded.

The violence extended beyond Gaza, with significant casualties reported in South Sudan and Sudan, where 34 and 25 aid workers were killed, respectively. 

The protracted civil unrest and intercommunal violence in these regions, particularly in Jonglei and Upper Nile states of South Sudan, were major contributors to the year’s unprecedented death toll.

Dr. Iain Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), highlighted the alarming trends in aid worker fatalities. 

He said: “The increasing involvement of state actors in attacks against aid workers is not just a violation of international humanitarian law but a moral failure of the highest order. 

“The international community must respond to these atrocities with both urgency and resolve.”

The data reveals that non-state armed groups (NSAGs) continue to be the most frequent perpetrators of attacks on aid workers. However, the rise in state actor involvement in these attacks, as seen in Gaza and Ukraine, presents a disturbing shift in the dynamics of violence against humanitarian missions.

As 2024 progresses, the provisional global fatality count as of August 2024 has already reached 172, indicating that this year could be even worse.

The relentless violence in Gaza, South Sudan, and Sudan continues to claim the lives of those who are on the front lines of delivering critical aid to vulnerable populations.

AOAV said the international community must take immediate action to protect aid workers and ensure that the norms of protected access to humanitarian assistance are upheld in all conflict zones. 

They added that the alarming increase in fatalities is a call to reinforce global efforts to safeguard those who risk their lives to help others.

Other groups echoed the calls for an end to the violence. 

CARE International is a leading humanitarian organisation fighting global poverty, operating in over 100 countries.

They are demanding an end to attacks on aid workers, an end to impunity for perpetrators, and increased support to local and national organisations, including women led organisations, to adequately manage security risks as they are the first and last to respond to humanitarian crises in circumstances often judged too high risk by international actors.  

Sofía Sprechmann Sineiro, secretary general of CARE International, said: “The rising number of deliberate attacks on aid workers must stop. 

“These are not only devastating for the individual worker, his or her family, friends and colleagues, but also represent attacks on entire communities. 

“Faced with increasingly severe humanitarian crises and threats to their own safety, aid workers around the world continue to show their unrelenting dedication and resilience.

“Targeting the very people who are working to save lives is a violation of obligations under international humanitarian law. Too often, the perpetrators of attacks on aid workers evade punishment. Regardless of who is responsible – whether state or non-state actors – perpetrators of these violations must be held accountable.

“National staff and staff from local and national organisations are the real heroes. Yet, they often operate on a shoestring, with inadequate funding to even afford the most basic security equipment and training.”

The overwhelming majority of recorded attacks on aid workers are inflicted on national staff. While 95% of the victims of recorded attacks on aid workers since January 2023 were national staff, 5% were international staff.   

Nahed Abu Iyada, health program field officer for CARE West Bank and Gaza, added: “The biggest challenge for me as an aid worker is the lack of safety and security. Right now, no one in Gaza is safe. International humanitarian law is not being respected and we can be attacked at anytime, anywhere, and without any warning.  

“The lack of security is taking a toll on our wellbeing. Now, we live in tents or overcrowded shelters, struggle to find enough food and water for our children, and cannot sleep due to the constant sound of bombing. There is never a second of respite. There is no safe space, not for our bodies, and not for our minds. Gaza is going through hell right now, and we are all suffering.” 

2024 is on track to be one of the deadliest years in recent history for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers, according to the latest reports.

As armed conflicts become more protracted, urbanised and complex the risks to medical and humanitarian workers have dramatically increased. At least twenty-eight volunteers and staff lost their lives while on duty so far this year.

The shocking number of deaths comes as the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement marks 75 years since the signing of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions: a set of rules for armed conflict which are the cornerstone of modern international humanitarian law, also known as the law of war. The rules found in the Geneva Conventions are designed to be followed even in the extreme circumstances of war and when followed, they save lives.

The ideas that led to the Geneva Conventions are also the ideas that are behind the origins of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. 

During the week that marks 75 years of the Geneva Conventions the British Red Cross will be launching a curated exhibition at their headquarters named ‘Caught in Conflict: 75 years of the Geneva Conventions’. 

The exhibition will explore the unimaginable destruction conflict casts on civilians. It features belongings rescued from rubble in destroyed cities in Iraq and historical items from the Second World War.

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of the British Red Cross, said: “When crisis hits, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are often first to the scene delivering lifesaving aid. As they serve others, they often face great risks, including to their lives. 

“Our thoughts are with our dear colleagues who lost their lives while helping others, and with their loved ones and families who deeply miss them. 

“International humanitarian law is clear, medical and humanitarian workers must be protected, and the red cross and red crescent emblems must be respected.

“In a world facing an unprecedented number of armed conflicts, the Geneva Conventions are just as relevant today as they were 75 years ago. 

“We will continue to play our part to ensure that these important rules are fully understood and respected. When this happens lives can be saved, and unnecessary loss can be avoided. We must preserve our shared humanity, no matter what the circumstances”

The purpose of the Geneva Conventions is to preserve our common humanity even in the worst situations. They are some of the only treaties to have been accepted by every single country in the world and have been fundamental in protecting people, including medical and humanitarian workers, during armed conflicts over the last seven decades.

Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent said: “Every day, our brave volunteers and staff members risk their lives to provide essential humanitarian aid and relief to those in dire need, often in the most dangerous and challenging environments. The Geneva Conventions serve as a crucial safeguard during times of conflict, providing safety and dignity.

“The protection offered by the Geneva Conventions must be continually defended and reinforced. I call upon all governments and all parties to honor their commitments under these treaties and ensure the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers and the civilians they serve.”