Uncovering the Unknown - Insights into Violence Against Humanitarian Aid
Limited resources have long prevented global organizations from fully capturing the reality behind attacks on humanitarian missions.
But behind every missing detail is a missed opportunity to prepare, to protect, to prevent.
To minimize the harm, we must uncover the patterns hidden in the data—and come together, as a global force, to turn insight into action.
Uncovering the Unknown: Insights into Violence Against Humanitarian Aid
A Visual Exploration of the Data to Guide Prevention Strategies
Background and Context
Data Source
The Aid Worker Security Database (AWSD) documents instances of 'major violence' against aid workers, which includes:
- Kidnapping
- Killing
- Wounding (serious injury requiring medical attention)
- Rape and sexual assault
Definition of Aid Workers
Aid workers are defined as employees and associated personnel (both paid and volunteer) of nonprofit aid agencies providing material and technical assistance in humanitarian contexts. This encompasses:
- National and international NGOs
- Local volunteer groups
- International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
- Donor agencies
- UN agencies within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Humanitarian Affairs (FAO, OCHA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN-Habitat, WFP and WHO)
- IOM, UNRWA, UNMAS, and when relevant, the World Bank
This definition includes locally contracted staff like drivers and security guards. It also covers contracted workers and vendors of humanitarian organizations when they are affected by violence while supporting humanitarian missions.
The definition excludes UN peacekeeping personnel, human rights workers, election monitors, and organizations focused solely on political, religious, or advocacy work.