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Children in Haiti face an unprecedented crisis as armed groups exploit poverty and instability to swell their ranks. According to UNICEF, up to half of all armed group members in the country are now children, drawn into violence through coercion or the desperate need to survive.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, described the situation as a “vicious cycle,” where children are both victims and instruments of the violence destabilizing their communities. “Chaos and horror have become part of daily life,” she said in a statement this week.
The crisis in Port-au-Prince, home to 1.2 million children, exemplifies the country’s dire conditions. These children live under constant threat of armed violence, with many exposed to atrocities that leave lasting physical and psychological scars. The UN estimates that children account for 25% of Haiti’s 703,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), forced to live in overcrowded shelters with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
The Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict reports a tenfold increase in children exposed to sexual violence this year alone. Many survivors are left without adequate support in a nation where essential services have collapsed.
Russell called the situation “an unrelenting crisis for Haiti’s youngest citizens,” adding that “no child should ever endure the horrors we are witnessing.”
The rise in child recruitment by armed groups stems from systemic issues plaguing Haiti, including widespread poverty, a lack of education, and the breakdown of state institutions. Schools, often a refuge for children, have become targets of violence, leaving families with few options to protect their children from being lured or forced into gangs.
UNICEF’s data highlights how deteriorating conditions have exacerbated vulnerabilities. Children who lose access to education or family support are more likely to fall prey to armed groups that promise food, protection, or a sense of belonging.
Despite overwhelming challenges, UNICEF has stepped up efforts to shield children from the crisis. This year, the organization provided psychosocial support and community sensitization services to more than 25,000 people affected by sexual and gender-based violence.
For children who have escaped armed groups, UNICEF offers recovery programs, including trauma counseling, vocational training, and family reunification services. The agency has also trained security forces and civil society organizations in child protection protocols to safeguard minors from recruitment or re-recruitment.
“We are working tirelessly to protect these children, but we need all parties in Haiti to prioritize their rights and ensure their safety,” said Russell.
UNICEF has called on Haitian authorities, armed groups, and the international community to ensure the immediate release of child recruits and prioritize child protection in all peace-building efforts. However, with political instability and gang violence showing no signs of abating, the outlook remains grim.
Children like those in Port-au-Prince, who hold up signs calling for “peace,” are symbols of both resilience and despair in a nation that has seen decades of upheaval. UNICEF warns that without sustained support and intervention, Haiti risks losing an entire generation to violence and trauma.
The worsening plight of Haiti’s children highlights the urgent need for international action. While humanitarian organizations work to mitigate the crisis, they face funding gaps and security constraints that limit their reach.
UNICEF’s appeal underscores the shared responsibility of global actors to support Haiti during its darkest hour. Protecting its children, Russell said, “is not just a moral imperative—it’s a necessity for the country’s future.
