Ten years ago, violent extremists stormed a hotel in Bamako, Mali, taking nearly 200 people hostage and killing 20. Among those lost was Palladium’s Anita Datar.

Anita was in Bamako with Palladium colleagues to help launch Health Policy Plus, a program dedicated to strengthening health systems and expanding access to care for those who need it most. Her work was deeply personal—she spent her career championing women and girls and advocating for people living with HIV, traveling frequently across Africa to turn that commitment into action.

“She brought so much to our work,” remembers Suneeta Sharma, Vice President of Global Health at Palladium and one of Anita’s friends and colleagues. “She shaped how we thought, how we cared, and how we showed up for others.”

Her loss is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working in international development and the sacrifices they make to continue this work. “It’s about saving lives,” Sharma adds. “It’s not easy but everyone who works in this field has the commitment to continue doing it and—for many of us, we’re inspired by Anita.”

Over the past 20 years, thousands of aid workers have been killed, injured or kidnapped. In 2024 alone, 385 workers were killed, and hundreds more were injured or abducted—the highest toll ever recorded. Most victims are local staff working in rural or marginalized communities, often in conflict zones where violence against humanitarians has become alarmingly routine.

Like Anita, those working in the field believe deeply in their mission. “We’re trying to solve really difficult problems and when done right, our work can have ripple effects across whole societies.” She adds that one thing she and her colleagues strive to take forward is treating everyone with dignity.

“Many of the people we work with are poor or under resourced and may be treated poorly, they face all kinds of issues or are disrespected, and one thing we always saw with Anita was that everyone deserved kindness and respect.”

“It’s something we all carry with us,” Sharma notes.

Around the world, those working in aid and development are guided by the principles of doing no harm, of reaching underserved populations, and creating systems that endure long after crises fade from headlines. Their impact is profound: healthier societies mean stronger economies, and every policy change can help families escape poverty. Yet, for those on the front lines, the risks are real and rising. Airstrikes, bombings, and targeted attacks have turned places like Gaza and Sudan into some of the most dangerous environments for aid workers in history.

Recognising their sacrifice matters. “These are people who often travel far from home to make the world better, often at great personal cost to them and their families,” adds Sharma. “It matters more now than ever that we continue our work to make a difference.”

As global crises multiply, protecting those who protect others is not just a moral imperative; it’s essential for sustaining the progress they fight to achieve. “Her passing reminds us of the risks that many of our colleagues and partners take every day in fragile and conflict-affected settings,” adds Palladium CEO Sinead Magill.

“We do not take these sacrifices lightly. All of us who work in places experiencing this level of harm know that there is potential for real, physical danger. But the work needs to be done, and the courage of people like Anita continues to inspire us.”

To honour Anita’s legacy and support the next generation of public health leaders, Dr. Farley Cleghorn and Palladium established a scholarship in her name. Learn more about this initiative and how it continues her mission here.