Record number of humanitarian workers killed in 2023: UN calls for action
Kyiv • UNN
In 2023, 280 humanitarian workers were killed in 33 countries. The UN calls for measures to be taken against violations and impunity against civilians.
In 2023 , 280 employees of humanitarian organizations working in conflict zones were killed in 33 countries. Last year was the deadliest in the history of the global humanitarian community. This is stated in a statement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day, UNN reports .
Details
Reportedly, the number of deaths of humanitarian workers in 2023 was 137 percent higher than in 2022, when 118 workers died.
It is noted that more than half of them were killed in the first three months of fighting in the Gaza Strip. Since October, more than 280 humanitarian workers have been killed in the enclave alone.
UNOCHA suggests that 2024 is likely to be even more deadly. As of August 7, according to preliminary data, 172 humanitarian workers have been killed.
"Today, we once again demand that those in power put an end to the violations against civilians and the impunity with which these horrific attacks are taking place," said Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator .
Recall
Today, August 19, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, more than 50 humanitarian workers have been killed or injured due to attacks by Russia. During this time, the Russian army has carried out more than 60 air strikes on humanitarian warehouses.