Rising Dangers for Local Aid Workers Amid Conflict
CISR
This headline is brought to you by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) which works to support resilience and recovery in global communities affected by war and conflict.
(The Guardian) In 2024, humanitarian work has become increasingly perilous, with 187 aid workers killed by late August. Local workers, who often lack the security, training, and protection provided to international staff, face the highest risks. The majority of deaths have occurred in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan. Despite international agreements and protective symbols like the Red Cross, attacks continue. Jeff Wright from World Vision highlights that local staff are rarely evacuated when danger escalates, while international workers often have this option.
Aid organizations and risk management firms are calling for more robust security protocols and better training, but as Hebdavi Kyeya of Tearfund points out, the local staff remain the most vulnerable. They face not only death but also kidnappings and harassment, with minimal accountability for attackers. The growing disregard for international humanitarian law exacerbates these dangers, leaving aid workers in increasingly deadly situations.
