Deaths among humanitarian workers

Wars between states have been largely replaced by internal conflict and anarchy, which have put the lives of civilians and humanitarian workers at ever increasing risk. Between 1985 and 1998 nearly half of deaths traced were in workers from UN programmes, and a quarter were in UN peacekeepers. Most deaths were due to intentional violence (guns or other weapons), many associated with banditry. One third of deaths occurred in the first 90 days of service, with 17% dying within the first 30 days; the timing of death was unrelated to previous field experience. The number of deaths peaked with the Rwanda crisis in 1994 and has been decreasing for all groups except for non-governmental organisations, where it continues to increase.