World: National staff bear brunt of record violence against humanitarian workers

New analysis found that between 1 August 2021 and the end of July 2026, about 3,496 national aid workers were victims of attacks, including deaths, detentions, kidnappings and attacks that result in serious injury, compared with 134 international staff which tend to bring more attention. LONDON/GENEVA, 17 August 2026 – Nearly all attacks on humanitarian workers over the past five years –96% – were on national staff as parties to conflict flouted laws designed to protect aid workers and violence reached unprecedented levels, Save the Children said ahead of World Humanitarian Day. New analysis by Save the Children of data from the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), found that between 1 August 2021 and the end of July 2026, about 3,496 national aid workers were victims of attacks, including deaths, detentions, kidnappings and attacks that result in serious injury, compared with 134 international staff which tend to bring more attention. The findings come after the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers. In 2025, more than 1,180 aid workers globally were victims of major attacks, driven largely by the war in the occupied Palestinian territories, where 187 humanitarian workers were killed, 80 injured, 23 detained and two kidnapped. While the number of attacks on humanitarian workers so far in 2026 has fallen to its lowest level in the past 10 years, national staff account for even greater share of victims, accounting for 98% of all attacks, their highest proportion since records began in 1997. The majority of attacks this year have taken place in Lebanon, South Sudan and Sudan, making them among the most dangerous places to be an aid worker today. The risks for aid workers are rising despite international law prohibiting attacks on humanitarian personnel, however, attacks on national staff too often go unreported and unnoticed. Gabriella Waaijman, Save the Children’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “National staff bear the brunt of attacks year on year. However, when a national aid worker gets killed, detained, injured or kidnapped, it rarely makes headlines. These are people brave enough to respond to the crises unfolding around them and are often directly affected by the crises themselves. Sometimes, they're among the displaced people they're trying to support, facing the same hunger and affected by the same bombs and bullets tearing through their communities. “Every humanitarian worker killed, injured or detained is more than a number. They are a parent, sibling, friend, neighbour, or colleague. Their loss is felt not only by their loved ones, but by the communities and children they serve. When aid workers cannot safely reach communities, children die. They lose access to food, healthcare, education, protection and other services that they rely on for survival ***“*The promise of respect and protection for aid workers under international humanitarian law is broken. We cannot accept a world where those who save lives are targeted for it. The laws are clear. Aid workers should never be a target.” This World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, Save the Children is demanding urgent action, not simply expressions of concern: 1. International humanitarian law must be applied with children in mind at every phase of conflict, accounting for their unique vulnerabilities. This will reduce the irreparable harm to children and strengthen protection for all civilians. 2. Parties to conflict must respect international humanitarian law, facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, and protect humanitarian personnel and civilian infrastructure. As technology advances, from drones to artificial intelligence, so must our protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers. 3. States must use the diplomatic and legal tools and leverage they have to protect aid workers, prevent attacks, safeguard access, and ensure those responsible for any violations are held to account. Impunity only fuels further attacks. ENDS Notes to Editor: • New analysis by Save the Children of data from the Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD), found that between 1 August 2021 and the end of July 2026, about 3,496 national aid workers were victims of attacks, including deaths, detentions, kidnappings and attacks that result in serious injury, compared with 134 international staff which tend to bring more attention. This equals about 96%. • According to the AWSD, "Major incidents" are defined as killings, kidnappings, detentions, and attacks that result in serious injury. Kidnappings and detentions are only included as a 'major incident' if the aid worker was held for more than 24 hours. • By the end of July 2026, there were a recorded 243 aid workers who were victims of major attacks, including intentional killings, kidnappings, and attacks causing serious injury, with national staff accounting for 98% of all attacks so far this year.