Haiti. Underfunding, other challenges constrain response to surging gender-based violence
OCHA warns that as Haiti continues to see alarming levels of gender-based violence, survivors and those at risk have very limited access to the essential support they need due to insecurity, access challenges and funding shortfalls.
Between January and September, over 7,400 cases of gender-based violence were reported in Haiti – an average of about 27 per day, according to partners. Sexual violence made up just over half of the cases, with nearly two thirds of these involving gang rape. Two out of every three victims were displaced people.
During the same period, humanitarian partners were able to reach just 7 per cent of the 833,000 people they aim to provide with specialized support to address gender-based violence this year – or just over 54,000 people in total. The response remains critically underfunded, with an overall gap of US$13.5 million – 70 per cent of the over $19 million needed for this year. If that funding is not received, nearly 780,000 women and girls – including survivors of gender-based violence and those at risk – will go without critical services, including the clinical management of rape, mental health and psychosocial support, case management, legal assistance, safe spaces for women and girls, and dignity kits.
Partners also warn that persistent insecurity and access challenges continue to prevent many survivors – including people with disabilities and women living in remote areas – from receiving timely, confidential and adequate support.
Despite these constraints, humanitarian organizations continue to scale up life-saving services, including psychosocial support, medical care, safe spaces for women and girls, mobile clinics, legal assistance and the distribution of dignity kits. Between January and September, more than 32,000 information and awareness-raising sessions have been conducted, and some 560 front-line workers have received specialized training.
OCHA continues to work closely with partners addressing gender-based violence in Haiti – as well as with national authorities – to ensure that survivors can safely access essential services.
