The United Nations has announced a new allocation of US$75 million to provide emergency support to 507,000 people in Haiti, where violence, displacement, and disruptions to essential services have increased significantly. This funding, introduced on October 12, will be managed by the Haiti Humanitarian Fund (HHF) and will support ten projects across 28 priority communes within the Ouest, Centre, and Artibonite departments.
The financial aid will facilitate access to food, clean drinking water, healthcare, and emergency shelter for those in need. It also aims to offer protection for women and children who are at risk of abuse and exploitation. In addition, the funding will provide medical and psychosocial care for survivors of sexual violence, treatment for children suffering from acute malnutrition, and assistance for individuals with disabilities.
A component of the funding, totaling US$4.5 million, will be designated for a rapid response mechanism aimed at enabling humanitarian partners to swiftly react to crises stemming from violence and displacement.
Part of the allocation will benefit three consortia made up of Haitian national and local nongovernmental organizations, which often operate in high-risk areas with limited humanitarian access. These groups will also play a role in enhancing local input in humanitarian decision-making processes.
One of the consortia specifically focuses on empowering women in leadership roles within the protection response, ensuring that assistance adequately addresses the unique risks faced by women and girls. “By putting national and local partners at the center of this response, we are building a more sustainable humanitarian architecture for Haiti,” said Nicole Kouassi, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, who expressed particular encouragement regarding the involvement of women-led organizations.
OCHA indicated that the funding decisions were informed by an assessment of humanitarian needs, security risks, and access conditions, accompanied by safeguards to ensure that assistance is delivered safely and aligns with humanitarian principles.
This latest funding follows earlier contributions made to the Haiti Humanitarian Fund, including US$125 million in March and an additional US$75 million from the United States in September. Kouassi acknowledged the support from the United States, stating that it would be crucial in maintaining humanitarian operations and preserving gains made in assisting vulnerable populations.
The overall humanitarian situation in Haiti remains dire, with approximately 6.4 million people in need of assistance and nearly 6 million facing acute food insecurity. The ongoing violence has displaced nearly 1.5 million individuals, with half of that number displaced in the past 18 months, according to OCHA.
To address these escalating needs, the Haiti Humanitarian Fund has designated roughly US$203.6 million in 2026 as part of the country’s humanitarian response plan, which is seeking a total of US$880 million and was only 49% funded at the time of this announcement. The UN has urged donors to increase their contributions to ensure continued life-saving assistance throughout the country.
