New York, Nov 25 (UNI): Children make up about half of all members of armed groups in Haiti, with the number of minors recruited in the criminal groups up by 70% in just one year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday.
“At present, up to half of all members in armed groups are children,” the organisation said.
UNICEF believes that the “unprecedented” 70% spike in child recruitment in armed groups between the second quarters of 2023 and 2024 was the result of “escalating violence, pervasive poverty, lack of education, and near collapse of critical infrastructure and social services in Haiti.”
Haiti has been struggling for years to contain gang violence, which was exacerbated following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. A transitional council was created in April after armed groups made former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign, but it came into disrepute in October after several of its members were accused of corruption.
