Protecting Humanitarian Aid Workers
Working as a humanitarian has never been more dangerous, particularly for local staff and volunteers who are often the first to reach communities affected by crisis.
In 2026, 319 people have already been victims of attacks and 92 have been killed, with a staggering figure: 98% of them are national staff and volunteers. Within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, over 100 colleagues have been killed since 2023, and 72% of them were volunteers.
The daily challenges are wide-ranging, from injury and death to harmful misinformation about National Societies’ operations, border restrictions, and engagement with non-State armed groups. From Kenya to Honduras to Pakistan, our colleagues work tirelessly to put #HumanityFirst.
We spoke to some of them at the International Conference for the Protection of Humanitarian Aid Workers, co-organised by the European Commission and the Irish EU Presidency, in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Here are their stories.
Honduras
In the neighbourhood of Chamelecón, volunteer doctor Gabriel Alejandro Martinez and his colleagues work with communities living in areas where non-State armed groups operate and where many people lack access to essential services.
The challenge lies in reaching these communities and ensuring that the Honduran Red Cross is recognised as a neutral and impartial humanitarian actor whose sole purpose is to help those in need. In some cases, volunteers live in the communities they serve, so any action that undermines trust would not only jeopardise access, it could also put the volunteer and their family at risk, making it harder to reach people who need support. This is why it is vital that communities have confidence in the Honduran Red Cross and its commitment to assist everyone, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
“Humanity is our main principle,” Gabriel said. “Everyone has the right to receive healthcare. Our fundamental principles are our guide, and they get us access to the communities we help.”
Kenya
During the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill, a single tweet from a Kenyan influencer falsely alleged that Kenya Red Cross Society vehicles were being used to transport politicians. This misinformation directly endangered humanitarian personnel and vehicles, leading to attacks that disrupted life-saving first aid operations.
Vincent Ochieng’, disaster response assistant at the Kenyan Red Cross, explained: “For this reason, neutrality is part of our main goals as the Kenyan Red Cross. We remain neutral as we offer our services to the communities. When trust is undermined, we are always at risk of being involved, of being under attack.”
The Kenya Red Cross Society responded swiftly, issuing a series of public messages across social media to mitigate the impact of the false claims.
Pakistan
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in northwestern Pakistan on the border with Afghanistan, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society faces altogether different challenges. Arif Muhammad, Security Officer with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, explained: “Imposed curfews are making it difficult for us to deliver efficient services and reach out to vulnerable communities. A big risk for us is also militancy, as is government instability.”
Three countries, three very different contexts, but one common thread: when trust in humanitarian action and neutrality is damaged, local volunteers and staff bear the immediate risks, while communities can lose access to life-saving assistance.
These attacks are not inevitable. The law is clear: under international humanitarian law, States and parties to conflict must respect and protect humanitarian personnel. Greater compliance with the law, alongside accountability for violations, is essential to reducing the risks faced by humanitarian personnel and preserving access to life-saving assistance. We cannot let attacks on humanitarians become normal.
