Children in Haiti Vulnerable to Gang Violence

In the first half of 2024, Haiti has witnessed a staggering increase in violence against children, with five children killed or injured each week due to gang-related conflicts. According to a report by Save the Children, at least 131 children have been affected, marking a 47% rise from the previous six months of 2023. Many of these children have been struck by stray bullets during gang shootouts or have been targeted due to suspicions of their affiliations with local self-defense groups or law enforcement. The situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly, with armed gangs controlling approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince. These gangs have united to challenge the acting prime minister, Ariel Henry, leading to widespread violence, including the burning of neighborhoods and rampant kidnappings. Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children’s country director, highlighted the alarming trend of children being directly targeted in this chaos, as well as the growing recruitment of minors into gang activities. Poverty remains a critical factor driving children into gangs, with half of the youth population experiencing regular hunger and limited access to education. Emmline Toussaint from the Bureau de Nutrition et Développement noted that many children join gangs for security and survival, as the promise of food often outweighs the risks involved. As international security forces prepare to intervene, concerns have been raised about the potential for increased violence against children. Save the Children has urged that the safety of children must be prioritized in any security strategy, emphasizing that the recruitment of minors into gangs poses a grave threat to their well-being.