UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – The United Nations on Monday warned that the Humanitarian Appeal and Response Plan in Haiti remains underfunded and that without additional support, the most vulnerable, especially women and children, will continue to pay the highest price.

UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told the daily briefing that the US$908 million plan is just eight per cent funded, with US$75 million in the bank.

He said that the UN humanitarian colleagues say they are concerned by the sharp rise in gender-based violence amid worsening insecurity and large-scale displacement.

“Our humanitarian partners report more than 3,800 incidents of gender-based violence were reported between January and May of this year, the vast majority of them perpetrated by armed men,” Dujarric told reporters.

“A sharp 41 per cent increase has been observed between April and May of this year alone, with cases rising from nearly 2,700 to more than 3,800 incidents in just one month, the vast majority affecting women and girls. Internally-displaced people account for more than 60 per cent of survivors.”

Dujarric said rape remains the most commonly reported violation, representing nearly half of all cases, with half involving collective rape. He said most attacks occurred in homes and on the street, underscoring the extreme risks faced by women and girls as they just go about their daily lives.

The Centre department in Haiti recorded the sharpest increase, with over 50 per cent since April, closely linked to recent waves of displacement.

“Our humanitarian partners are working to provide referrals, as well as medical and psychosocial support services. However, protection services remain critically underfunded, and access to care is severely limited,” Dujarric said.