The GBV Global Initiative provides urgent assistance to survivors of extreme forms of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices.

Who is eligible?

• An individual who has been directly threatened or harmed by an act of extreme violence perpetrated on the basis of that individual’s gender.

• An individual who has recently been harmed or is currently experiencing an urgent threat of harm (typically, the violence must have occurred within the last three months, and threats must be ongoing).

• An individual who has limited or no options for alternative assistance.

• An individual of any gender or sexual orientation.

• An individual seeking short-term, often lifesaving, emergency assistance.

What can be requested?

 By definition, emergency assistance is given to address an acute and recent act or immediate threat.

The program can support individuals who meet the above stated criteria, with small, short-term emergency funds, for expenses that include, but are not limited to, medical expenses, psychosocial support or counseling, emergency shelter or other safe accommodation, temporary relocation expenses, temporary livelihood and dependent support (including foster care and other forms of child care), and legal assistance.

This initiative can typically provide support for individuals for up to three months. Emergency support is not intended to be a long term solution, but rather an intermediary support mechanism where local service providers are unable to assist.

Individual victims/survivors of GBV can request emergency assistance directly or through intermediaries such as civil society organizations, services providers, community or faith-based groups, and/or family members. All funds given must go directly to the victim/survivor. Intermediaries cannot retain any of these funds.

If you would like to request assistance, contact gbvresponse@gmail.com or humanrights@vitalvoices.org. Please include a brief summary about the situation, including a timeline, type of assistance being requested, and your contact information. If you are not able to disclose this information over email, please contact gbvresponse@gmail.com with alternative contact information such as a phone number or Skype ID. Requests for assistance can be made in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.