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Attacks on aid workers increase as targeting becomes increasingly political

2008 was the most dangerous year on record for humanitarian aid workers, according to a new report from Overseas Development Institute. Last year 260 humanitarian aid workers were killed, kidnapped or seriously injured in violent attacks – the highest annual toll on record. Kidnappings have increased 350% since 2006 and the fatality rate of aid workers from malicious acts surpassed that of United Nations peacekeeping soldiers in 2008.