UN says a record number of aid workers were killed in 2023 and this year may be even higher

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations says that a record number of aid workers were killed in conflicts around the world last year, and this year may be on course to be even deadlier. The U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that 280 aid workers were killed in 33 countries in 2023 — more than double the previous year’s figure of 118. It said that more than half of last year’s deaths were registered in the first three months of the Israel-Gaza war that started in October, mostly as a result of airstrikes. The office said Monday that this year may be on track for an even deadlier outcome, with 172 aid workers killed as of Aug. 7.