The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that Haiti continues to experience alarming levels of gender-based violence. Victims and those at risk have very limited access to the essential support they need due to insecurity, access difficulties, and funding shortfalls.

Between January and September 2025, more than 7,400 cases of gender-based violence were reported in Haiti, a 13.5% increase in just one month ( https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45900-haiti-flash-at-least-3-200-rapes-in-8-months-situation-in-figures.html ). Sexual violence accounted for slightly more than half of the cases (over 3,700), with nearly two-thirds involving gang rape. Two out of three victims were internally displaced persons.

During the same period, humanitarian partners were only able to reach 7% of the 833,000 people they aim to support with specialized assistance to combat gender-based violence this year, totaling just over 54,000 people.

The response remains underfunded, with an overall shortfall of 70%, or US$13.5 million, out of the US$19 million needed for this year. Without this funding, nearly 780,000 women and girls, including victims of gender-based violence and those at risk, will be deprived of essential services, including clinical care for rape victims, 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 difficulties continue to prevent many victims, including people with disabilities and women living in remote areas, from receiving support.

Despite these constraints, humanitarian organizations continue to scale up vital 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 sessions were conducted, and some 560 frontline workers received specialized training.

OCHA continues to work closely with partners combating gender-based violence in Haiti, as well as with national authorities, to ensure that victims can safely access essential services.

HL/ HaitiLibre