In 2024, an average of one humanitarian worker lost their life every day, making it the most lethal year documented in the field of international aid. As the world observes World Humanitarian Day on August 19, the sector is facing a devastating triple crisis: soaring humanitarian needs, rising attacks on aid workers, and a sharp drop in funding that is crippling response efforts.
Last year, 383 humanitarian workers were killed. By mid-2025, another 248 had already died. Meanwhile, the number of people urgently needing humanitarian aid has climbed from nearly 300 million in 2024 to 305 million this year.
Yet funding is collapsing, exacerbated by the suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid, which typically provided 45% of global support, leading to widespread layoffs and stalled operations.
Why does humanitarian work matter? How many aid workers are out there risking their lives? What dangers do they encounter? This article addresses key questions about those who risk their lives to help others and what the future holds for humanitarian aid.
What is World Humanitarian Day and why does it matter?
World Humanitarian Day, celebrated annually on August 19, honors aid personnel who have died or been injured while performing their duties, while also advocating for their protection. Also known as International Humanitarian Day, it marks the anniversary of the 2003 attack on the United Nations headquarters in Iraq, which claimed 22 lives, including that of UN Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello.
What was the first recorded humanitarian mission?
The origins of modern humanitarian aid can be traced back to 1859, when Henry Dunant coordinated medical assistance for injured soldiers following the Battle of Solferino in Italy. This initiative led to the establishment of the Red Cross in 1863, recognized as the first significant humanitarian organization.
How many humanitarian workers are there globally?
According to a 2022 report, an estimated 630,000+ humanitarian workers were working in more than 110 countries in 2020. However, mass layoffs in 2025 following USAID’s closure and broader funding cuts have significantly reduced this number, with tens of thousands losing their jobs worldwide.
Workforce composition:
- 93% of humanitarian workers are national staff working within their nations
- Over 40% of humanitarian workers are women
- More than half (53%) work for national NGOs
As humanitarian workers navigate unprecedented pressure, shrinking budgets, and mass layoffs, the very fabric of coordinated response is under threat. These challenges mean vital experience is lost and expertise is dispersed precisely when needs are the greatest. Strong and resilient professional networks are therefore no longer optional; they are essential.
DevelopmentAid sustains one of the largest professional networks in the sector, maintaining a pool of over 15,310 humanitarian specialists in 120 countries, connected to a broader community of 120,000 professionals. This network keeps the humanitarian engine running, deploying skilled teams at speed when emergencies strike and ensuring experienced voices are heard where they are needed most.
What are the dangers of being a humanitarian worker?
Humanitarian work has become increasingly dangerous, with 2024 being the most lethal year on record, and this trend is persisting into 2025.
Aid-worker fatalities:
- 2024 was the deadliest documented year, with 383 humanitarian workers killed, up from 293 in 2023.
- By mid-August 2025, 248 deaths have been recorded, including 156 aid workers killed in Gaza by April.
Attacks on aid-workers:
- Major attacks rose from 420 in 2023 to 599 in 2024, with 240 recorded by mid-2025
- National staff represent 95% of the attack victims
- 2024 saw 3,600+ attacks on healthcare in conflict zones – the highest ever recorded.
Humanitarian workers’ kidnappings:
- Kidnappings rose from 95 cases in 2023 to 125 in 2024
Regional hotspots:
- Gaza is the most dangerous location for humanitarian workers, with 508 fatalities reported, including a record 346 UN personnel among those killed
- Sudan: Since 2023, 84 relief workers have died
What mental health risks do humanitarian workers face?
The dangers faced by aid workers are not only physical. Many endure extreme psychological strain from constant exposure to violence, loss, and high-pressure environments.
- Approximately 12.9% of humanitarian workers develop post-traumatic stress disorder, while 8.6% endure a complex variety of this condition
- Burnout affects about 60% of workers in intense conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan
Yet, fewer than 20% of agencies provide psychological support after traumatic events.
What funding goes to humanitarian assistance?
Humanitarian funding continues to fall short of global needs, resulting in significant shortfalls and operational challenges.
Global humanitarian needs in 2025:
- Approximately 305 million people require relief aid in 2025.
- Due to a funding shortfall, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs can support only around 190 million people in 72 countries.
2025 funding outlook:
- Required funding is estimated at about US$47 billion, slightly lower than in 2024.
- Approximately US$7.64 billion has been reported as being received so far in 2025, covering about 16% of the required funding for the Global Humanitarian Overview coordinated plans.
Persistent funding shortfalls:
- Humanitarian appeals face chronic underfunding. In 2023, the United Nations sought about US$51.5 billion but received only US$21.8 billion, leaving a record US$29.7 billion shortfall.
- For 2024, initial financial requirements were set at US$56 billion but were later revised to approximately US$49.9 billion due to declining donor interest. As of May 2025, reported funding stood at about US$24.9 billion for 2024.
Which countries currently face the greatest humanitarian crises?
While needs are global, six countries stand out for the scale and severity of their crises, each being racked by protracted conflict, displacement, and severe food insecurity.
- Sudan: 30.4M people are in need of humanitarian assistance; 12M+ have been displaced internally and across borders; famine has been declared in parts of North Darfur.
- Occupied Palestinian Territory (Gaza): 3.3M people are in need of aid; 1.9M have been displaced; 320,000+ children are at risk of acute malnutrition; 500,000+ live in famine-like conditions.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 21.2M people are in need of humanitarian aid; 28M are facing acute hunger; 6.9M have been internally displaced.
- Myanmar: 19.9M people are in need of assistance; 16.7M food insecure; 3.5M have been displaced by conflict.
- Syria: 16.5M people are in need of aid; 6.8M have been internally displaced; up to 3.5M refugees and IDPs are expected to return in 2025.
- Ukraine: 12.7M people are in need of assistance; 3.6M have been internally displaced; 6.9M refugees; civilian casualties are up by nearly 50% in early 2025 compared to 2024.
