New data highlights the rising threat of arrest and detention facing humanitarian workers, with locally recruited staff accounting for 88% of those affected. INSO and PH call for greater investment in prevention, Duty of Care, psychological and legal support for humanitarian workers and affected family members.

Brussels, The Hague, 19 August 2026 — On World Humanitarian Day, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) and Protect Humanitarians (PH) are drawing attention to the growing risks faced by humanitarian workers. In 2025 alone, 1,187 humanitarian workers were victims of major security incidents, underscoring the increasingly dangerous environments in which humanitarian personnel operate. 

INSO’s Conflict and Humanitarian Data Centre (CHDC) recorded 959 incidents of arrest, detention or custodial confinement of humanitarian personnel by States between 2020 and June 2026, affecting more than 1,700 staff (Humanitarian Outcomes (2026), Aid Worker Security Database, aidworkersecurity.org ). Deprivation of liberty has become a major threat to humanitarian workers. While kidnapping has remained a persistent risk over the past decade,  detention by State actors is an increasing concern in many operating environments.

“I experienced arbitrary detention because of my humanitarian work. It was a traumatic experience. Attempts to intimidate humanitarian workers and force them to suspend their activities only validate their mission and strengthen their resolve. In the face of these injustices and the turmoil of today’s world, taking action is a duty. We need them. Let’s protect them.” – Humanitarian worker, arbitrarily detained for 19 months, and member of Protect Humanitarians’ Global Survivor Network.

Unfortunately this experience is far from uncommon:

“Our data shows that since January 2020, on average almost one humanitarian worker has been detained by State Authorities each day. This only includes countries INSO monitors and as such the true number is likely to be higher. Whilst the reasons for detention are diverse and not all are arbitrary, approximately a third of the detention incidents we analysed were directly related to the humanitarian activity of the detained individual, whether due to the enforcement of administrative impediments, attempted interference with programme implementation or the criminalisation of humanitarian action itself”  – Anthony Neal, INSO Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications

“Humanitarian workers should never have to choose between helping civilians and protecting themselves. When they are detained or attacked, our responsibility does not end with calling for their release or condemning the attack. We must stand by them and their families before, during and after. Protecting humanitarians is protecting the lifeline to civilians in need.”  – Olivier Vandecasteele, Founder and Director, Protect Humanitarians

On World Humanitarian Day, INSO and Protect Humanitarians call on governments, donors and humanitarian organisations to make the protection and support of humanitarian personnel a concrete priority. Humanitarian action must not be criminalised or obstructed, and organisations must have the resources and systems necessary to prepare for serious incidents and support affected colleagues and their families.

Strengthening physical protection and psychological safety 

Through a project funded by the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, INSO and PH are combining their complementary expertise to strengthen both the physical and psychological protection of humanitarian personnel.

INSO contributes security data, analysis, crisis-management expertise and personal safety training, while Protect Humanitarians brings survivor-informed expertise in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), legal support and institutional Duty of Care.

Together, the organisations are delivering global activities including advocacy, knowledge sharing, direct psychological support and open-access training materials, while piloting tools in contexts such as Ukraine.  

INSO will develop and pilot a Stress Exposure Personal Safety Training (SEPST) course specifically designed for national and frontline staff, ensuring practical tools reach those most exposed to risk. Protect Humanitarians will work with local partners to strengthen their capacity to provide psychosocial support to humanitarians affected by detention and torture. The NGO is also developing a practical good practice handbook to strengthen support for humanitarian workers and their families before, during and after arbitrary detention.

The partnership reflects a simple principle: without protected and supported humanitarian personnel, humanitarian assistance cannot be delivered to the people who depend on it.