The United Nations reported Friday that 2024 is already the deadliest 12 months on report for humanitarian employees, with extra assist workers, well being care personnel, and supply employees killed than ever earlier than.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated bloodshed within the Middle East is the main explanation for the 281 deaths recorded globally to this point, surpassing final 12 months’s whole of 280.
“Before the year is even over, 2024 has set a grim record for humanitarian personnel worldwide,” OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke stated in Geneva.
Laerke praised the braveness and selflessness of employees in battle zones corresponding to Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Ukraine. “They represent the best of humanity, yet they are being killed in return – at record numbers,” he stated.
“These numbers will send shockwaves through the humanitarian community, especially those on the front lines,” he added.
The U.N. stated the figures are from the Aid Worker Security Database, a U.S.-funded undertaking managed by the U.Okay.-based group Humanitarian Outcomes.
Of the 281 humanitarians killed – together with personnel from non-U.N. organizations just like the Red Cross and Red Crescent – 268 have been nationwide workers, whereas 13 have been worldwide workers.
The database reported Friday that 230 assist employees have been killed within the occupied Palestinian territories. It didn’t specify whether or not the deaths occurred in Gaza or the West Bank.
Laerke stated threats to assist employees “extend beyond Gaza, with high levels of violence, kidnappings, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention” reported in Afghanistan, Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and different areas.
OCHA reported that 333 humanitarians have been killed since Tel Aviv launched its rampage on Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion on southern Israel.
The demise toll in Gaza from the 13-month battle has surpassed 44,000 with greater than half of the fatalities being girls and youngsters, native well being officers stated Thursday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com