Geneva, Aug 19 (EFE).- The United Nations announced on Monday that 280 humanitarian workers were killed in conflict zones in 2023, making it \u201cthe deadliest year\u201d on record for the global humanitarian community.<\/p>
\u201cAid workers on the frontlines of the world’s conflicts are being killed in unprecedented numbers,\u201d said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in a statement marking World Humanitarian Day.<\/p>
This “outrageously high number” of casualties occurred in 33 countries, representing a 137 percent increase compared to 2022, when 118 aid workers were killed globally.<\/p>
OCHA reported that more than half of these deaths occurred during the first three months of hostilities in the Gaza Strip\u2014October to December\u2014mostly due to airstrikes.<\/p>
Extreme levels of violence in Sudan and South Sudan also significantly contributed to the “tragic death toll,” it added.<\/p>
Most of the casualties were among national staff of humanitarian organizations operating in the conflict zones.<\/p>
Given the risk of escalation in conflict zones, OCHA warned that 2024 could be even deadlier, with at least 172 aid workers already killed in the first seven months of the year, according to preliminary data.<\/p>
\u201cThe normalization of violence against aid workers and the lack of accountability are unacceptable, unconscionable and enormously harmful for aid operations everywhere,\u201d said OCHA Deputy Secretary-General Joyce Msuya.<\/p>
\u201cWe reiterate our demand that people in power act to end violations against civilians and the impunity with which these heinous attacks are committed,” Msuya added.<\/p>
On Monday, humanitarian organizations and those supporting their efforts organized events worldwide to stand in solidarity and highlight the “horrifying toll” of armed conflicts on aid workers.<\/p>
In addition, leaders of humanitarian organizations sent a joint letter to UN member states, urging the international community to end attacks on civilians, protect aid workers, and hold perpetrators accountable. EFE <\/p>
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