In a statement issued for World Humanitarian Day on August 19, Türkiye's Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of protecting United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers and ensuring that aid reaches people in need quickly, safely and without obstruction.
The statement, issued as part of World Humanitarian Day, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, highlighted the responsibility to save lives as well as the need to protect humanitarian workers and civilians.
Emphasis on aid for Gaza
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said that, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the number of humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while carrying out their duties has reached its highest level in United Nations history.
The statement paid tribute to United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers who were targeted and killed while carrying out their duties.
It said Türkiye would continue working to protect humanitarian workers and deliver aid to people in need in different parts of the world. The statement added that Gaza was one of the priority regions in these efforts.
Reached a record level in 2025
The United Nations said violence against humanitarian workers reached a record level in 2025. Gaza was identified as the deadliest region for humanitarian workers for the third consecutive year.
According to a report published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 907 humanitarian workers were killed, injured or abducted in 2025. In Gaza, 186 humanitarian workers lost their lives.
Ridvan Sezer | Editor-in-Chief