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UN warns surge in gender-based violence in Haiti amid major funding shortfall
Summary
The UN spokesperson said partners recorded almost 2,000 incidents of gender-based violence in the first three months of the year, with over 70% involving gang rape, and that only $1.2 million of a $15 million request (8%) has been received, limiting survivors' access to emergency care.
Farhan told reporters that humanitarian partners in Haiti recorded almost 2,000 incidents of gender-based violence in the first three months of the year — roughly 21 cases per day — and that more than 70% of those incidents involved gang rape. He said the majority of survivors are women and girls.
The spokesperson warned that support services remain severely underfunded: of the $15,000,000 required, only $1,200,000 (8%) has been received so far this year. "This is severely limiting survivors' access to emergency medical care within the critical 72-hour window after an assault," he said, and added that psychosocial support and temporary emergency shelter are also constrained.
In a follow-up question, reporter Yvonne asked whether the multinational security mission had failed and whether a planned gang suppression force could achieve better results; Farhan said lessons must be learned from previous operations and that differing approaches will be necessary to reduce violence and protect communities.
The spokesperson urged additional funding to strengthen services for survivors and protection efforts in the most affected areas.
