The Challenges of Providing Humanitarian Aid

Here’s what’s on tap for the day: Humanitarian aid workers are struggling to do their jobs, U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a phone call, and European leaders weigh in on Ukraine peace negotiations.

Welcome back to the penultimate 2025 edition of Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, as we approach the holiday break and start looking ahead to a likely even busier 2026.

Welcome back to the penultimate 2025 edition of Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, as we approach the holiday break and start looking ahead to a likely even busier 2026.

Here’s what’s on tap for the day: Humanitarian aid workers are struggling to do their jobs, U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a phone call, and European leaders weigh in on Ukraine peace negotiations.

Humanitarian Workers Can’t Catch a Break

Aid agencies and humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones are facing historic challenges that are making it harder to safely and adequately provide assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Working in the humanitarian sector has become increasingly dangerous in recent years—2024 was the deadliest year on record for aid workers, with 383 killed, and 2025 may be worse. With a few weeks left in the year, there have already been 326 aid workers killed, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.

The dangers are particularly pronounced in Gaza. Nearly half of the aid workers killed in 2024 were in the coastal enclave, and this trend has continued into 2025.