2018 was the second worst year on record for aid worker security, with 405 aid workers affected by major violence in 226 separate attacks. } Victims included 131 aid workers killed, 144 wounded, and 130 kidnapped. } South Sudan continues to experience the highest number of attacks; recent mass hostage-takings there have driven up global kidnapping figures. Kidnappings also increased once again in Afghanistan. } Violence against aid workers increased sharply in Democratic Republic of Congo, due to increased criminal activity and the beginning of a spate of attacks on Ebola responders, which worsened in 2019.
