July 24, 2025
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Local NGO workers

Insurance in War Zones: How to Protect Teams in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and Beyond

Martin Fisher
,  
Insurance For Group | Communications and Marketing

From Gaza to Sudan, Ukraine to Myanmar — aid workers are operating in environments shaped by violence, political collapse and overwhelming humanitarian need. These are the places where NGO support is most vital.

They’re also the places where standard insurance policies are least effective.

Whether you’re deploying expat staff, supporting local teams, or relying on volunteers and fixers, operating in a conflict zone means your duty of care is under the highest pressure. The right insurance doesn’t just protect lives — it protects your organisation.

So, how do you insure people working in war zones?

Why Most Policies Don’t Work in Conflict Areas

Many NGOs unknowingly rely on travel insurance or health insurance that explicitly excludes cover in:

  • Countries under UK FCDO “Do Not Travel” advisories
  • Regions affected by ongoing conflict or occupation
  • Areas where the risk of kidnap, airstrike, or terrorism is high
  • Territories under sanctions or embargoes

That means if an incident occurs, you may be left without:

  • Medical evacuation
  • Death or disablement benefits
  • Emergency claims processing
  • Any legal footing for compensation

This is not a grey area. It’s written in the fine print of most policies.

🔗 The Humanitarian Outcomes 2023 Aid Worker Security Report identified a sharp rise in violent incidents against NGO staff in Gaza, Sudan and Mali.
[Source]

War Zone Insurance: What It Should Include

At insuranceforngos.com, we specialise in providing war zone insurance with no territorial exclusions.

Your cover can include:

  • Accidental death & permanent disability
  • Medical expenses and in-patient care
  • Emergency evacuation — including air ambulance and security extraction
  • Cover for local and expat staff alike
  • Valid in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, CAR, and beyond
  • From just 3 days of cover
  • Quote and buy online in minutes

Visit our insurance for conflict zones and high-risk locations page for full details.

Regional Focus: What You Need to Know

🟥 Gaza & the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Ongoing Israeli military operations and near-total infrastructure collapse make Gaza one of the most dangerous places to operate. The risks include:

  • Direct and indirect fire
  • Targeted strikes on NGO compounds
  • Civilian displacement and restricted access

Our cover is fully valid in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, even during active hostilities.

🟥 Sudan

Following the collapse of peace negotiations and the outbreak of war in Khartoum and Darfur, thousands of aid workers have been forced to evacuate or operate in deteriorating security conditions.

We provide cover for:

  • In-country staff operating under local employment
  • Visiting expats and emergency deployments
  • Rapid-response medevac and repatriation

🟥 Ukraine

Although some parts of Ukraine are deemed lower-risk, much of the country — especially the east and southern regions — remains volatile.

Standard insurance may still deny claims in these regions due to:

  • The ongoing nature of hostilities
  • Sanctions-related clauses
  • Civil/military overlap in infrastructure

Our policies are actively supporting NGO teams currently working in Ukraine, regardless of region.

Why NGOs Choose Us

Organisations choose insuranceforngos.com because we offer:

  • No territorial exclusions
  • Cover for both local and international staff
  • Fast onboarding and policy issuance
  • Transparent pricing and flexible durations
  • 24/7 multilingual claims response
  • Dedicated group schemes for larger teams

We’ve already helped NGOs operating in:

  • Gaza and the West Bank
  • Sudan and South Sudan
  • Ukraine, Moldova and neighbouring countries
  • Yemen, Syria, Lebanon
  • Central African Republic and DRC
  • Iraq and Afghanistan
🔗 See the UN OCHA list of current Level 3 humanitarian emergencies — and match them to your current deployments.
[View List]

Protecting Your Team Is Not Optional

Your team knows the risks. Many accept them. But they shouldn’t be left exposed due to poor or invalid insurance.

If you’re sending staff into Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine or any other high-risk location, you need:

  • Verified insurance with active cover in war zones
  • A provider that understands humanitarian operations
  • A policy that responds fast and without delays

✅ Ready to Get Covered?

👉 Get a quote online in minutes

👉 Speak to our team to arrange large-group schemes or schedule a risk review

We insure where others won’t.

ESSENTIAL INSURANCE FOR NGOs

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