In Haiti, half of gang members are children, warns Unicef

The proportion is barely believable. “Currently, almost half of the members of armed groups are children” in Haiti, warns Unicef ​​in a press release published Sunday, November 24. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the number of children recruited by gangs has increased by 70% in one year in this Caribbean country ravaged by violence.

“This unprecedented peak, recorded between the second quarters of 2023 and 2024, shows a worsening child protection crisis”worries the organization.

Since the end of February, Haiti, a poor country already plunged into years of crises, has faced an outbreak of gang attacks, accused of murders, kidnappings and large-scale sexual violence. These gangs, which control around 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, regularly attack civilians despite the deployment this year of a multinational security support mission led by Kenya and supported by the UN.

Under the leadership of Jimmy Chérisier, a former police officer turned gang leader and nicknamed “Barbecue”, the majority of these armed groups formed a coalition this year with the aim of obtaining the departure of the unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who resigned in April. After weeks of struggle for control of the government, his successor, Garry Conille, has just been dismissed from office by the Presidential Transitional Council, which appointed Alix Didier Fils-Aimé in his place.

“Vicious circle”

According to Unicef, the escalation of violence, widespread poverty, lack of access to education and the near collapse of essential services are fueling the massive recruitment of children. Children thus join gangs to support their families or under threat. Many are also recruited after being separated from their guardians.

“The children of Haiti are trapped in a vicious circle: they are recruited by armed groups who fuel their despair, and their numbers continue to increase”declared the director general of the UN organization, Catherine Russell, quoted in the press release.

“This unacceptable trend must be reversed by ensuring that the safety and well-being of children are a priority for all parties”added Unicef.