Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

As the world commemorates World Humanitarian Day 2024, recent figures reveal an alarming increase in attacks against aid workers on the frontline. The aid research advocacy group, Humanitarian Outcomes, published its 2024 Aid Worker Security Report on August 15, stating that “2023 was the deadliest year for aid workers ever recorded, with fatalities more than double the annual average.” Humanitarian Outcomes is supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

According to the report compiled by the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), 595 aid workers were victims of major attacks in 2023, including 280 who were killed in 33 countries. More than half of these deaths (163) occurred in Gaza during the first three months of conflict, primarily due to airstrikes. The UN described this as “an unprecedented number for a single context in such a short period.”

One notable incident involved seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. These workers were killed in an Israeli missile strike on April 1 while leaving a warehouse after delivering humanitarian food. Despite coordinating with the Israeli military, WCK reported that their convoy was struck in an apparent “targeted attack by the IDF,” leading to a suspension of operations in the region.

The report indicated that most fatalities in Gaza resulted from “collateral violence from aerial bombardment and rockets/shelling,” reflecting high civilian casualties during intense military campaigns in urban areas. It noted that over 30,000 civilians have died in Gaza and highlighted that many aid workers were killed while engaged in relief work.

Jean-Yves Terlinden of Caritas Europa criticized the EU and US for their "continued complicity" and "double standards," attributing these factors to increased risks for humanitarian workers. He mentioned two Caritas workers among those killed: Viola, along with her family at St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church; and Issam Abedrabbo with his sons.

Humanitarian Outcomes also reported significant casualties among aid workers due to ongoing conflicts elsewhere: Sudan saw 24 deaths, South Sudan had 34 deaths, and other countries like Mali, Ukraine, Somalia, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Myanmar also experienced high numbers of affected aid personnel.

World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations in 2008 to honor humanitarian personnel and those who died serving others. The date commemorates a bombing at U.N. headquarters in Baghdad that killed 22 humanitarian workers.

In alignment with this observance day’s mission statement posted online echoed findings from the Aid Worker Security Report: “2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers” with projections suggesting “2024 could be even worse.”

“These facts lay bare a glaring truth: the world is failing humanitarian workers and, by extension, the people they serve,” it stated.

Among Catholic organizations active globally are Salesian Missions which provide relief across more than 130 countries. Father Michael Conway emphasized their commitment: "Because Salesian missionaries live within communities they serve...they are often on front lines." Their efforts include aiding displaced populations through various forms of support ranging from immediate relief supplies to long-term recovery assistance.