In a disturbing development, UNICEF reports a staggering 70% increase in the number of children recruited by gangs in Haiti over the past year. This alarming trend highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Caribbean nation, where violence, poverty, and political instability continue to ravage communities13.
According to United Nations estimates, children now comprise between 30% and 50% of gang members in Haiti. Geeta Narayan, UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, “They’re not doing this voluntarily. Even when they are armed with weapons, the child here is the victim”13.
The surge in child recruitment coincides with worsening conditions across Haiti:
- Extreme poverty: Over 60% of the population lives on less than $4 a day, making children easy targets for gang recruitment13.
- Escalating violence: Gangs now control 85% of Port-au-Prince, expanding their influence into previously peaceful areas1.
- Political instability: Ongoing turmoil has created a power vacuum that gangs exploit7.
Children recruited by gangs face various forms of exploitation:
- Boys are often used as informants and forced to participate in attacks1.
- Girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, sometimes treated as “wives” by gang members13.
- New recruits typically start with tasks like buying food or recruiting others before being tested through violent confrontations1.
The crisis has far-reaching consequences for Haiti’s children:
- Over 700,000 people, including an estimated 365,000 children, have been displaced by gang violence1.
- 300,000 students are unable to attend school due to closures1.
- Sexual violence against children is escalating, with 1,895 cases reported between January and November last year2.
UNICEF and other organizations are working to address the crisis:
- Providing humanitarian aid, including education services, health care, and nutrition support2.
- Calling for increased donor support to expand interventions2.
- Urging authorities to prioritize the restoration of critical social services2.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of the crisis and protect the country’s most vulnerable population – its children.
