Humanitarian aid under attack - aid workers killed in conflicts in 2024 and 2025

Map of the Month 08/2025

The maps illustrate the number of aid workers who lost their lives while carrying out their work in 2024 and 2025. While 2024 has been the deadliest year on record (since 1997) for aid workers, 2025 is set to be worse. While in 383 fatalities were reported across 27 countries in 2024, 265 fatalities have been reported until August 2025 out of which 173 have been reported from Gaza alone, which - like in the previous year-, remains the deadliest context for aid workers worldwide. The situation is Gaza is followed by Sudan with 36 fatalities, South Sudan with 14 and DR-Congo with 10. The rising numbers not only reflect the intensity of violence in armed conflicts, but also mark a retreat by states from norms of international humanitarian law (IHL). In addition, humanitarian funding is being cut which also affects humanitarian staff and puts them in even greater danger. 

Key votes during the 59th UN Human Rights Council

Während des 59. UN-Menschenrechtsrats, welcher vom 16. Juni bis 9. Juli in Genf tagte, wurden insgesamt 25 Resolutionen und eine Entscheidung angenommen. 19 Resolutionen (76%) wurden im Konsens und 6 nach einer Abstimmung verabschiedet. Eine Resolution zur Nichtverlängerung des Mandats des UN-Sonderberichterstatters zur Menschenrechtslage in Eritrea wurde nach einer Abstimmung hingegen abgelehnt. Frauenrechte, aber auch Fragen von sexueller Orientierung und Geschlechtsidentität gelten als zentrales Thema der Juni-Sitzungen des Rates. Hier konnten einige Texte im Konsens angenommen werden, etwa das Mandat der Arbeitsgruppe zur Diskriminierung von Frauen und Mädchen oder eine erste dedizierte Resolution zu weiblicher Genitalverstümmelung (FGM). Hingegen wurde die Mandatsverlängerung des unabhängigen Experten zum Schutz vor Gewalt und Diskriminierung aufgrund von sexueller Orientierung und Geschlechtsidentität (SOGI) erneut abgestimmt. Weitere Texte, welcher einer Abstimmung bedurften, zählte auch ein Text zur Unterstützung der Ukraine im Menschenrechtsbereich oder zum Zugang zu Medikamenten, Impfstoffen und anderen Gesundheitsprodukten, ein Thema welches auch im Rahmen der 78. Weltgesundheitsversammlung (WHA) und den Debatten um das sog. System für Zugang zu und gerechte Teilung von Nutzen aus pandemierelevanten Materialien und Daten, kurz "PABS" für Kontroversen sorgte.   

Forced Displacement 2024 - Host countries, countries of origin and contributions to the UNHCR

Map of the Month 06/2025

Worldwide, 123.3 million people were displaced by the end of 2024, according to the new Global Trends Report 2025 published by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This constitutes an increase of 6% or 7 million people compared to the previous year and almost twice as many as a decade ago, which was mainly driven by escalating conflicts such as in Sudan, Myanmar, gang violence in Haiti, the war in Gaza and with Lebanon or escalating fighting in the DR-Congo, the Sahel region or Ukraine. With 14.3 million displaced people, Sudan is currently the largest displacement crisis in the world. Despite the rising needs, the UNHCR is facing chronic underfunding. By end-May 2025, only 22% of its budget (2,3 bn out of 10,6 bn. USD) has been covered, once again less than in the previous year. Due to the major funding shortfall and the financial uncertainty due to the U.S. foreign aid freeze in particularly, the UNHCR announced to cut global staffing costs by 30%. The UNHCR has been heavily reliant on US funding (traditionally covering around 40% of its budget). According to High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, it is not merely a funding shortfall, but a "crisis of responsibility". The cost of inaction will not least be measured by further instability. 

Key votes during the 78th World Health Assembly

Map of the Month 05/2025

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) took place against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions and challenges—evident, for instance, in the conspicuous absence of the United States and the ongoing dispute over Taiwan’s status within the organisation. Despite unfavourable circumstances, key health policy initiatives with the potential to benefit future generations were adopted or reaffirmed. These include a multilateral pandemic agreement, the next steps in reforming the International Health Regulations (IHR), and—recognizing the signs of the times—a global climate action plan. Further, new health priorities were incorporated into the WHO agenda, signalling that while global cooperation remains arduous, it can, under pressure, yield essential results.