The World Humanitarian Day arrives this August 19 with a figure that reflects the deterioration of security for those working in some of the largest crises on the planet: 907 humanitarian workers were killed, injured, or kidnapped during 2025, according to the latest consolidated data from the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD).
The balance is divided into 350 workers dead, 322 injured, and 235 kidnapped. If the 280 detentions recorded by the database are added — a category that AWSD warns has more limited historical information — the total number of affected rises to 1,187.
The United Nations uses a different methodology and places the number of at least 326 humanitarian workers killed in 21 countries during 2025. The organization also warns that more than 1,010 humanitarian aid professionals have died in the last three years.
Why it is celebrated on August 19
World Humanitarian Day is commemorated every August 19 in memory of the attack against the United Nations headquarters at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad in 2003.
The attack killed 22 people, including the UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello. The General Assembly subsequently established this day to recognize those who provide assistance to populations affected by conflicts and disasters.
The campaign is coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
More than 250 million people need help
The violence against workers also occurs at a time of enormous pressure on the international assistance system.
More than 252 million people urgently needed humanitarian assistance and protection at the end of May 2026, 13 million more than when the Global Humanitarian Overview was presented for this year.
Humanitarian organizations had planned to assist 143.2 million people and prioritize nearly 89 million with the most severe needs.
However, the main problem is again funding. As of May 31, humanitarian plans needed 33.66 billion dollars, but had only received 8.21 billion: 24.4% of what was needed.
Humanitarian workers turned into targets
International humanitarian law establishes that civilians, including humanitarian and health personnel, must be respected and protected during armed conflicts.
It also forces the parties to allow and facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid to the population that needs it.
However, the United Nations denounces that humanitarian workers continue to be murdered, injured, kidnapped, detained, and obstructed while carrying out their work. Most of the victims are also national workers providing assistance within their own countries.
The attacks have consequences that go beyond the victims themselves: they can interrupt the distribution of food, healthcare assistance, or protection services for entire populations.
That is why the message chosen by the United Nations for this World Humanitarian Day 2026 hardens the tone compared to previous years: "The time for concern is over. The time for consequences has come".