The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting an ‘alarming surge’ in gender-based violence in Haiti, particularly against women and girls, driven by ongoing insecurity and displacement.
UN Deputy Spokesman, Farhan Haq, told the daily media briefing that ‘our partners have recorded more than 3,000 incidents of gender-based violence between April and June this year, with more than 1,000 incidents reported in June alone’. Haq said that this brings the total number to 5,500 in the first half of the year, representing a sharp rise in numbers since last year, when partners recorded just over 8,000 incidents.
‘Our humanitarian colleagues note that nearly 70 per cent of the cases in the last six months involved rape, many of them gang rapes, reportedly perpetrated by armed groups. More than half of the survivors were displaced.
‘Our partners on the ground report that available resources have enabled some survivors to access medical, psychosocial and protection services, such as safe spaces for women and girls, but needs continue to far exceed current capacity,’ Haq told reporters.
He said the UN partners also note that the situation is unfolding against a backdrop of mass displacement and forced returns.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 1.5 million people are displaced within Haiti, with more than 140,000 Haitians forcibly returned to the country between January and June 2026. Many return without identity documents or resources.
‘Despite extremely challenging operational conditions, we and our partners continue to provide essential protection services, including support to obtain civil documentation and information on rights and available services.
‘However, insecurity, access restrictions, and funding shortfalls continue to limit the reach of humanitarian assistance,’Haq told reporters.