Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UN Women announced Haiti's first state-supported safe house to provide protection, psychosocial support, and aid for survivors amid escalating gang violence, which has spread from Port-au-Prince across the country, causing mass displacement. Marie Goretti Nduwayo from the agency highlighted that this violence has resulted in deep and lasting trauma, especially for women and girls. Sexual violence is projected to rise by 163% in 2025 compared to the previous year, affecting about 1,670 women and nearly 200 girls.
The establishment of the safe house marks a significant development in Haiti's efforts to confront gender-based violence, with UN Women working with local authorities to offer lifesaving assistance and help survivors rebuild their lives.
Separately, a UN trade and development agency report by UNCTAD warns of a substantial increase in global demand for critical minerals necessary for clean energy systems and digital technologies. Minerals like lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt, and nickel are expected to see soaring demand, with lithium alone projected to increase by more than 350% by 2040.
The production and processing of these minerals remains concentrated in a few countries, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo producing nearly three-quarters of the world's cobalt in 2025 and China dominating graphite production and refining. This concentration has led governments worldwide to adjust trade policies to secure supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign markets, introducing nearly 100 export-related measures since 2020, including taxes, licensing requirements, and export bans.
While rising demand offers developing countries rich in mineral resources opportunities to attract investment and create jobs, UNCTAD cautions that many continue to export raw materials rather than higher-value processed products, presenting both risks and opportunities.