The number of children recruited by armed groups in Haiti has risen by 70%, with children now making up almost half of gang membership, according to UNICEF.
Haiti has endured decades of political instability, but in recent months, the country has experienced a surge in violence, with gangs now controlling 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
UNICEF stated that “the unprecedented spike, registered between the second quarters of 2023 and 2024, points to a worsening protection crisis for children on the violence-plagued Caribbean island.”
“Currently, up to half of all members in armed groups are children,” UNICEF stated.
The increase in child recruitment has been driven by escalating violence, widespread poverty, lack of education and the near collapse of critical infrastructure.
“Children in Haiti are trapped in a vicious cycle — recruited into the very armed groups that are fueling their desperation, and the numbers are growing,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in the statement.
“This unacceptable trend must be reversed by ensuring that children’s safety and welfare are prioritized by all parties,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized.
