Haitian children bear the burden as Haiti still grapples with instability, UNICEF said

NEW YORK — A recent UNICEF report reveals that 30 to 50 percent of Haïti’s armed group members are children, coerced into service by persistent social, economic, and political instability. The escalating armed violence in the country has created a dire situation, particularly for the nation’s children, the United Nations International Children organization said.

The report, paints a grim picture, with 90 percent of Haiti’s population living in poverty and three million children urgently needing humanitarian aid. Years of political turmoil and devastating economic conditions have led to the rise of armed groups. Many children, lacking other means of survival or protection, are forced to join these groups, a grave violation of their rights, the report said.

“Children in Haiti are stuck in a vicious cycle of suffering,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “They are pushed to join armed groups out of pure desperation, including horrific violence, poverty, and a breakdown in the systems that should protect them. Children are used by armed groups for different tasks, including as cooks, cleaners, ‘wives,’ or lookouts. The impact on each affected child is a tragedy that demands urgent action.”

UNICEF said that over half a million children live in neighborhoods controlled by armed groups, exposing them to heightened risks of violence and recruitment. Children often join these groups to support their families or due to threats against themselves or their loved ones.Many also join after being separated from their families, seeking survival and protection.

Following the release of the UNICEF data, representatives of children’s advocacy organizations have expressed deep concern for the future of these vulnerable children. Jeunesse Combattante (JECO), an advocacy organization, states that this constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights, as the state has failed to establish the necessary security conditions for children to fully enjoy their rights.

“The long-term consequences on the future of these children are alarming. They don’t have access to education and lack hope for their future in society. It’s a tragic loss for the country and a weapon that will make society weep,” Jean Berquinze Augustin, the general coordinator of Jeunesse Combattante, told the Haitian Times in a telephone interview.

The recruitment and use of children by armed groups constitute a severe violation of their rights and a breach of international law. Recently, UNICEF and the Ministries of Justice, Education, and Labor and Social Affairs of Haiti agreed on joint initiatives to support the reintegration of children previously involved with armed groups, marking a significant milestone in safeguarding their wellbeing.

The violence in Haiti escalated in 2024, resulting in over 2,500 casualties and more than 180,000 internally displaced children, with the UN verifying over 400 grave violations against them. Despite the challenging environment, UNICEF said the organization is ramping up efforts to protect families and provide life-saving support, focusing on those cut off from essential services.

UNICEF is calling for accelerated international efforts to protect Haiti’s children, ensuring that internationally-supported security missions prioritize the protection of children and civilians, while suggesting the implementation of a state-sponsored social program in areas dominated by armed gangs.

“Raising awareness among children about their significance for the country and helping them understand that the best option is to attend school, learn a trade, and work decently to make a living is being proposed,” said JECO representatives.

Juhakenson Blaise contributed to the story

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