On World Humanitarian Day, a More Dangerous World for Humanitarians

In early June, Houthi authorities in Yemen launched a series of roundups of UN, civil-society, and humanitarian staff and detained dozens of employees from 29 organizations – roughly 130 of whom still remain in Houthi custody and many of whom have not been heard from since. Two weeks later, a medical volunteer with Médecins Sans Frontières was killed in Khartoum when the Rapid Support Forces launched an artillery attack on Al Nao Hospital – the only functioning medical facility in the area. Just days after that, two Congolese aid workers with Tearfund were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo when a rogue armed group attacked and set ablaze their convoy. 

These incidents are devastating reminders of the growing dangers for those courageous individuals undertaking humanitarian work around the world. Last year was the deadliest on record for aid workers, with 280 people losing their lives. A majority of those killed were in Gaza, where Israeli Defense Forces operations have taken a devastating toll on those responding to the humanitarian crisis. The United Nations recently described Gaza as the “most dangerous place in the world for aid workers,” and in my own engagements with partners working there, aid workers have consistently described the conditions and dangers they face as among the worst they have ever seen throughout decades of responding to crises. 

At the same time, the need for aid workers is growing as global humanitarian crises continue to worsen. An estimated 300 million people will require humanitarian assistance and protection this year due to natural disasters, acute food insecurity, and conflict. Humanitarian workers are vital in responding to all of these crises – delivering meals, clean water, and emergency medical care to those affected. These aid workers know the dangers of their critical work. They prepare their loved ones for the what-ifs, then they go out and do the work anyway – because they want to support people in need who are counting on them. 

We owe aid workers around the world, including USAID’s own humanitarians, an immense debt of gratitude for their courage and dedication. But more than that, we owe them our best efforts to keep them safe – and to reduce the immense risks they face. 

At USAID, we will continue to strengthen protection and coordination mechanisms to better protect humanitarian aid workers globally. We are working to increase coordination among governments, UN agencies, and NGOs that can more safely facilitate the movement of aid. And we are pressing leaders to do much more to protect humanitarian workers, and are working to secure specific agreements on how they will do so. USAID is grateful to all who play a role in responding to crises around the world for their courage and commitment to such critical work.