UNICEF: Child Recruitment by Armed Groups in Haiti Surges 70%

The recruitment of children by armed groups in Haiti has escalated sharply, rising by 70% in the past year, according to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Alarmingly, children now constitute nearly half of the membership in these gangs.

A Crisis in Context

Haiti, long beset by political instability, has seen a dramatic rise in gang violence, with armed groups controlling 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The surge in child recruitment reflects the deepening crisis, driven by worsening violence, extreme poverty, inadequate access to education, and the collapse of essential infrastructure.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“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. This unacceptable trend must be reversed by ensuring children’s safety and welfare are prioritized by all parties.”

Factors Driving the Recruitment Spike

• Escalating Violence: The growing dominance of gangs exacerbates insecurity, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation.
• Economic Hardship: Poverty remains widespread, forcing families and children into desperate situations where armed groups offer perceived security or resources.
• Educational Gaps: The lack of functioning schools leaves many children without alternatives, increasing their susceptibility to recruitment.

UNICEF’s Call to Action

The agency urges immediate interventions to prioritize the safety and welfare of children, calling on all stakeholders to break the cycle of violence. The report underscores the need for:

• Strengthened child protection systems.
• Restoration of educational opportunities.
• Focused efforts to dismantle armed groups exploiting children.

Haiti’s mounting crisis poses a grave threat to the nation’s future, with its youngest and most vulnerable population increasingly caught in the crossfire. Addressing this urgent issue requires both national and international cooperation to safeguard children’s rights and secure their futures.