The persistent violence of armed groups in Haiti, particularly in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince, is exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that seriously affects children. According to the humanitarian organization Jeunesse Combattante (JECO), the number of children forced to flee their communities due to conflict has increased significantly since November 2024.
In a recent statement, JECO sounded the alarm about the precarious conditions in which these displaced children live. Nearly half of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition in makeshift camps where unsanitary conditions and crowding increase the risk of diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.
These children, often separated from their families, are particularly vulnerable to physical violence, sexual abuse and exploitation. Additionally, access to essential services, such as healthcare, education and clean water, remains extremely limited.
The closure of schools in areas affected by the violence has also forced many children to drop out of school, thus compromising their future. JECO denounces this situation, believing that children pay the high price of a crisis caused by adults.
Faced with this emergency, JECO calls on the international community to intensify its efforts to finance actions aimed at protecting these vulnerable children and improving their living conditions. The organization also advocates for increased solidarity to guarantee these young people access to safe spaces, education and basic services.
JECO's appeal highlights an alarming reality: displaced Haitian children are the first victims of a multifaceted crisis that threatens their survival and their future.
Cam Stefada Poulard
Vant Bef Info (VBI)
