The UN aid chief has said that a staggering 281 aid workers have been killed around the world so far this year, making 2024 the deadliest year for humanitarians, AFP reports.

“Humanitarian workers are being killed at an unprecedented rate, their courage and humanity being met with bullets and bombs,” said Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ new under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

With more than a month left to go of 2024, the “grim milestone was reached”, he said, after 280 humanitarians were killed across 33 countries during all of 2023.

“This violence is unconscionable and devastating to aid operations,” Fletcher said.

“States and parties to conflict must protect humanitarians, uphold international law, prosecute those responsible, and call time on this era of impunity.”

Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza was driving up the numbers, his office said, with 333 aid workers killed there, most from the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.