A new report, the “Aid Worker Security Report 2025,” reveals a dramatic increase in attacks on humanitarian aid workers in Ethiopia, positioning the country among the top 10 most dangerous places for aid personnel worldwide last year. The surge in violence makes 2024 the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers globally, with Ethiopia accounting for 35 fatalities.
The report highlights a particularly alarming rise in attacks on aid vehicles and workers traveling by road, especially in the Amhara region. Armed groups have frequently targeted and intercepted vehicles and facilities marked with humanitarian aid symbols, resulting in a troubling increase in kidnappings, injuries, and deaths caused by small-arms fire. This pattern of violence is spreading to other parts of Ethiopia in new and varied ways, diverging from previous years’ trends.
Beyond direct physical attacks, humanitarian operations in Ethiopia are grappling with administrative obstacles and what the report terms “hostility from host governments,” which have forced many international aid organizations to scale back or suspend activities. Consequently, local aid groups, often lacking sufficient resources, bear the growing burden of ensuring security for their staff.
The escalating violence correlates closely with a severe global funding crisis affecting the humanitarian sector. The report warns that a significant disruption in U.S. government aid—the world’s largest donor—by 2025 has slashed nearly a third of total humanitarian funds. This sudden shortfall has compelled many organizations to close programs and reduce staff, exacerbating operational vulnerabilities.
Funding cuts have also intensified security risks, in some cases triggering attacks by disgruntled former employees or communities adversely affected by service reductions. The reduction in financial resources has diminished many agencies’ capacity to mitigate risks, leaving aid workers exposed to higher dangers.
In response to these challenges, humanitarian groups are consolidating resources by sharing office spaces and leveraging new technologies such as artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency. Additionally, many have integrated their security and aid operations units to better address mounting threats. However, experts caution that such strategies can only partially alleviate the impact of shrinking budgets.
On the diplomatic front, the report notes some progress, particularly with the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2730 (2024). This resolution calls for accountability and justice for attacks on aid workers and is expected to strengthen political pressure and support for protective measures.
Despite the unprecedented difficulties facing the humanitarian sector, the report underscores the urgent need for sustained international commitments to safeguard aid workers in Ethiopia’s conflict-affected regions and to ensure the continued delivery of life-saving assistance. As violence and funding shortfalls threaten to cripple aid efforts, renewed global solidarity and action remain critical to protecting those risking their lives to support vulnerable communities.
