Children as young as eight are being recruited by gangs in Haiti, with UNICEF reporting a shocking 70% increase in the past year.
At a Glance
- Gang recruitment of children in Haiti has surged by 70% in the last year
- 30% to 50% of gang members in Haiti are now children
- Poverty, violence, and political instability are driving factors
- Gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince, expanding their influence
- Children face exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse within gangs
Haiti’s Descent into Chaos: Children Caught in the Crossfire
Haiti’s ongoing crisis has taken a disturbing turn as gangs increasingly target the nation’s most vulnerable. UNICEF reports an alarming 70% increase in child recruitment by gangs over the past year, with children now making up between 30% to 50% of gang members. This surge in exploitation comes as gangs tighten their grip on the country, now controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince and expanding their reach.
The root causes of this crisis are clear: deepening poverty, escalating violence, and political instability have created a perfect storm for gang recruitment. With many schools closed and over 700,000 people displaced, including 365,000 minors, children are easy targets for gangs offering food, shelter, and a sense of belonging.
The number of children recruited by armed groups in #Haiti increased by 70% in the last year.
Children in Haiti are recruited into the very armed groups that fuel their desperation. Children’s safety and welfare must be prioritized.👇 https://t.co/vZpnGGxpHB
— Catherine Russell (@unicefchief) November 25, 2024
The Brutal Reality of Child Exploitation
The roles assigned to these child recruits are as varied as they are disturbing. Boys are often used as informants and sometimes armed, while girls are forced into domestic roles and sexual exploitation. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread sexual abuse of girls and women by gangs, who use this violence to instill fear in rival territories.
“This is a very concerning trend,” says Geeta Narayan, UNICEF’s Haiti representative, adding that children are targeted “because they’re invisible and not seen as a threat.”
The recruitment process is insidious. New recruits are initially tasked with buying food and making friends before being coerced into participating in violent acts. Gangs like 5 Segond, Brooklyn, Kraze Barye, Grand Ravine, and Terre Noire are known to heavily recruit children, often through threats or abduction.
Gangs in Haiti are recruiting children at unprecedented levels, with the number of minors targeted soaring by 70% in the past year, according to a report released Monday by UNICEF. https://t.co/kQw3BmzY7z
— NBC News World (@NBCNewsWorld) November 25, 2024
The Long Road to Recovery
The normalization of violence within these gangs poses severe risks to children’s psychosocial development. Even those who manage to escape face significant challenges in reintegrating into society. “They’re not doing this voluntarily,” Narayan emphasizes, highlighting the need for comprehensive support for these traumatized children.
The rise of vigilante movements targeting gang members adds another layer of complexity and danger for these children. Exiting gangs is a perilous process, requiring extensive medical and psychological support. The international community must step up to provide the resources needed for long-term intervention and rehabilitation programs.
