Saving lives in Haiti – and around the globe.
For 44 years, GHESKIO’s mission of treatment, research, training and social services has been a steadfast beacon of hope and health. Despite innumerable challenges, GHESKIO has never closed its doors.
On the Frontline
“Rebuilding Lives Through Economic Opportunity”
Over the past five years, Haiti has endured escalating violence, political instability, and economic disruption. More than 1.5 million people have been displaced from their homes, more than half of them women and children. For countless families, the loss of safety has also meant the loss of income, opportunity, and economic security.
Women have been disproportionately affected. Many have been forced to flee their homes, abandon small businesses, leave jobs behind, or assume responsibility for supporting their families under increasingly difficult circumstances. For those living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and vulnerable communities, rebuilding a stable future can seem out of reach.
GHESKIO is working to change that.
“Learning Doesn’t Stop”
For children living in Haiti’s internally displaced communities, access to education has become increasingly fragile. Insecurity, school closures, and unstable living conditions have made it nearly impossible for many young children to attend school consistently, interrupting not only learning but also critical early development.
GHESKIO’s Dr. Jean William Pape Wins IAS President’s Award
Dr. Jean William Pape, head of the GHESKIO centers, has been selected as the recipient of the IAS President’s Award.
The IAS President’s Award aims to recognize the achievements of an individual who demonstrates a history of leadership and excellence as a pioneer or advocate at the forefront of the HIV response. The award highlights an individual’s contribution that results in increased knowledge, skills, creative solutions or evidence-based policies and programmes to enhance the global HIV response. This award is conferred on an honorary basis, with a commemorative trophy and certificate.
humanitarian Crisis facts
Displacement & Food Security
- ~1.5 million people internally displaced, including 751,000 children (UNICEF, updated August 20, 2026, covering January–June 2026)
- 6.4 million people — more than half of Haiti’s population — will need emergency humanitarian assistance in 2026, up 6.7% from 6 million in 2025 (OCHA’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan)
- 5.8 million people experienced acute food insecurity in the first half of 2026; separately, OCHA’s most current figure cites 1.9 million people at emergency levels of acute food insecurity — the more severe classification
- Displacement patterns have shifted: as of late 2025, 69% of new displacement was occurring outside Port-au-Prince, particularly in the Centre and Artibonite departments — meaning the crisis is actively spreading beyond the capital, not just intensifying within it
Violence & Security
- Armed gangs, consolidated under the “Viv Ansanm” coalition, control an estimated 85–90% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, and have expanded into the Artibonite, Centre, and Northwest departments
- Haiti reportedly has the highest homicide rate in the world, according to some analysts (Human Rights Watch)
- A BINUH flash report (August 6, 2026) described a resurgence of armed violence in Port-au-Prince between March 6 and July 31, at levels not seen in over a year
- In that same window (March–July 2026), 613 people were killed and 375 injured in just two areas — Plaine du Cul-de-Sac and Cité Soleil — with 18,000+ newly displaced from that violence alone
- The August 23 Kenscoff attack killed 47 people, injured dozens, and left more than 50 abducted
- A private military contractor — a US company, Vectus Global — is now operating in Haiti, hired directly by the Haitian government. UN and human rights reporting has flagged concerning civilian casualty rates from security-force and PMC operations, including some resulting from explosive drone use
Health
- 442 suspected cholera cases, including 2 deaths, reported as of the August 2026 UNICEF update
- Insecurity has forced the closure of numerous health facilities, including maternity wards and operating rooms, and severely limited access to emergency obstetric care — directly relevant context for exactly the kind of work GHESKIO is doing
Gender-Based Violence
- 76% of victims were women; 14% were girls under 18
- 7,472 GBV incidents reported between January and September 2025, of which 56% were sexual violence
- Of those sexual violence cases, 65% were collective (gang) rapes
Latest News
Make an impact today
Your support provides medical care, food, and psychosocial services to thousands of displaced persons due to gang violence.
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Our healthcare workers are facing grave critical risks daily, but we remain committed to sustain hope for the thousands of people who have lost everything.
Dr. Jean William Pape
Founder & Executive Director of GHESKIO
52,789
Community visits with patients
189,684
Total patients served in 2024
13,385
Children in the nutritional program to treat and prevent malnutrition
352
Children attending GHESKIO’s primary school, receiving a robust education, hot meals daily and medical support
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While the tumult, brutality, and insecurity of the conflict persists indefinitely, our adolescents remain the most vulnerable. We remain unwavering in protecting their right and need for education, as well as shielding them from the threat of trauma and violence that they face every day.
Dr. Marie-Marcelle Deschamps
Deputy Executive Director of GHESKIO
Our Services
Social Services
Empowering women & children to escape poverty
We treat the whole patient, delivering support to break the generational cycle of poverty.
The Cholera Treatment Center at GHESKIO Center in downtown Port-au-Prince.
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