More needs to be done to uphold international humanitarian law to protect aid workers in conflict zones, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

His remarks come as last year marked the deadliest on record for aid workers, with 280 killed across 33 countries. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described this as a "shockingly high number."

This figure represents a staggering 137 per cent increase from 2022, when 118 aid workers lost their lives.

Posting on X, Most Rev Justin Welby wrote: "We thank God for the humanitarian workers and the many people in those contexts who risk their lives to help others.

"We lament that year after year, more and more humanitarian workers are being killed and injured while providing vital aid and comfort to those most in need.

"We pray that parties to a conflict and governments around the world do more to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, in conflict zones. The perpetrators of such violence must be held accountable."

The outlook for 2024 is raising more concerns. As of 7th August, 172 aid workers have already been killed, according to OCHA.

Over half of these deaths in 2023 occurred during the first three months of the conflict in Gaza, from October to December, with airstrikes being the primary cause.

Furthermore, "extreme levels of violence" in Sudan and South Sudan have significantly contributed to the death tolls in both 2023 and 2024.

Howard Mollett, head of Humanitarian Policy at the Catholic humanitarian agency CAFOD, told Premier Christian News why he thinks aid workers are being targeted.

"Sadly, in some contexts, both governments, armed groups, and others see them as easy prey, and they're under all sorts of threats, intimidation, and harassment," he said.

He continued: "One person I have in mind has had to flee the country where he was working from because the situation was just so dire and he and his family were at risk of bad things happening".

In his message for World Humanitarian Day, observed on 19th August, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted a "growing climate of impunity", where those responsible for violence and disinformation against humanitarians "do not fear justice."

"We demand that governments exert pressure on all conflict parties to ensure the protection of civilians," he said. "We must all do more to safeguard our shared humanity."